The 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will be unprecedented in financial terms.
For the first time:
- 48 teams will take part in the tournament;
- 104 matches will be played;
- 16 host cities spread across three countries will stage the event.
This expansion turns the World Cup into an economic powerhouse unlike anything seen before.
Organizing the World Cup: gigantic costs
$3.8 billion: the direct cost of the World Cup for FIFA
According to FIFA’s official budget, the cost of organizing the 2026 World Cup is expected to reach approximately $3.76 billion, including operating expenses, television production, logistics, match organization and payments to participating teams.
$871 million redistributed to the 48 teams
FIFA will distribute a record $871 million to the qualified national associations, an amount 15% higher than in 2022.
Each team will notably receive:
- $10 million as a qualification payment;
- $2.5 million as a preparation contribution.
$50 million for the winner
The future world champion will pocket $50 million, compared with $42 million at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar:
| Result | Prize money |
|---|---|
| Winner | $50M |
| Runner-up | $33M |
| Third place | $29M |
| Fourth place | $27M |
| 5th-8th place | $19M |
| 9th-16th place | $15M |
| 17th-32nd place | $11M |
$40.9 billion in expected economic impact
According to estimates published by FIFA and several consulting firms involved in the project, the tournament could generate up to $40.9 billion in additional GDP and support approximately 824,000 jobs across the three host countries.
This $40.9 billion gain should nevertheless be put into perspective, as it represents only about 0.12% of the combined $35 trillion GDP of the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The bill for supporters
6.5 million tickets
FIFA expects to sell around 6.5 million tickets, compared with nearly 3.4 million during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, representing a 91% increase.
The increase in the number of teams and matches largely explains this spectacular rise.
Final tickets costing more than $10,000
For the 6.5 million spectators expected in the stadiums, this edition is shaping up to be the most expensive in football history:
- $1,300: the estimated average price of a ticket during the tournament, representing an increase of nearly 1,000% (inflation-adjusted) compared with the 1994 World Cup in the United States;
- $242 to $960: the price range observed on FIFA’s official resale platform for the cheapest tickets. For comparison, at the beginning of 2026 FIFA had initially set entry-level ticket prices at $60…
- $11,000 to $33,000: the price of Category 1 tickets and premium packages allowing access to the final at MetLife Stadium in New York / New Jersey.
FIFA’s cash machine
$13 billion in revenue over the 2023-2026 cycle
FIFA has raised its revenue target for the 2023-2026 cycle to $12.9 billion. These revenues, largely driven by the 2026 World Cup, represent a 72% increase compared with the 2019-2022 cycle, which already included the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
$10.9 billion generated by the 2026 World Cup alone
According to estimates by Sports Value, the 2026 World Cup alone could generate approximately $10.9 billion in revenue, compared with $7 billion for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and $5.3 billion for the 2018 tournament in Russia.
More than $4 billion in TV rights
Broadcasting rights are expected to account for more than $4.2 billion, remaining FIFA’s largest source of revenue.
$3 billion from ticketing and hospitality
FIFA could generate nearly $3 billion from ticket sales, VIP boxes and hospitality programs, more than three times the $950 million generated from these categories during the 2022 World Cup.
$2.8 billion in sponsorship revenue
Sponsorship agreements and commercial partnerships are expected to bring in more than $2.8 billion, setting a new record for world football’s governing body.
Sources:
– Revised 2023-2026 Budget | FIFA
– FIFA Council increases record financial distribution | FIFA
– FIFA World Cup: A Macro Event | Saxo
– World Cup 2026 Ticketing Programme | FIFA
– FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ in numbers | FIFA
– Source: Salon / Soccernomics
– Source: PBS NewsHour
– Source: Channel 8 Economic Report
– The 2026 World Cup will be the most lucrative in history | Sports Value
