FIFA is set to distribute a record US$355 million to clubs worldwide ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup under its expanded Club Benefits Programme (CBP). This payout marks a nearly 70% increase from the US$209 million paid after the 2022 tournament in Qatar.
For the first time, clubs that release players for World Cup qualifiers — not just those participating in the final tournament — will receive compensation. The programme aims to reward the role clubs play in developing players and supporting national teams.
The expansion of the CBP follows a new agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA), first signed in March 2023, focusing on greater equity for clubs that contribute players throughout the World Cup cycle. In the 2022 edition, about 440 clubs from 51 FIFA member associations benefited.
(Reuters via ANN)
