FIFA Expands Club Benefits Programme Ahead of 2026 World Cup, Promising Wider Global Impact
More football clubs around the world are set to reap financial rewards from the FIFA World Cup than ever before, as FIFA prepares to roll out an upgraded version of its Club Benefits Programme (CBP) for the 2026 tournament.
The scheme, which compensates clubs for releasing players to national teams, will see its solidarity payments rise to a record USD 355 million — a significant leap from the USD 209 million distributed after the Qatar 2022 World Cup. But beyond the increased funds, the real innovation lies in who benefits.
For the first time, clubs whose players feature in the qualifiers for the FIFA World Cup 2026™, not just the final tournament will also be compensated. This adjustment marks a major step in recognising the role that smaller and less high-profile clubs play in developing and releasing players who contribute to the global showpiece.
“This initiative acknowledges the vast ecosystem of clubs that fuel international football,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “By extending benefits to teams involved even at the qualification stage, we’re ensuring a fairer and more inclusive redistribution across global football.”
The move comes after a renewed memorandum of understanding signed in 2023 between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA), underlining a growing collaboration between world football’s governing body and the organisation representing elite clubs.
ECA Chairman Nasser Al-Khelaïfi welcomed the expanded scheme, emphasising that the change is not just about money but recognition. “Clubs play a pivotal role in the success of national team football. From nurturing young players to releasing them for major qualifiers and tournaments, every step matters. This programme ensures that contribution is properly valued,” he said.
The wider scope of the programme could have transformative effects on clubs outside Europe’s elite, especially those in Africa, Asia, and South America, where even modest payments can strengthen player development structures.
The previous edition of the CBP reached 440 clubs from 51 FIFA Member Associations across all six confederations. With the new eligibility criteria, that number is expected to grow considerably, ensuring that the financial benefits of the world’s most-watched sporting event ripple further than ever before.
Details of the distribution model and application process will be shared by FIFA in the coming months, but the message is clear: the World Cup will not only unite nations on the pitch — it will also leave a broader financial footprint across the club game.