FIFA President Giovanni Infantino. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Prize money for next year's World Cup will be 50 percent higher than the previous edition with world governing body FIFA agreeing a record US$727 million (NZ$1.2 billion) financial contribution to the tournament on Wednesday.
The biggest slice of FIFA's funding package for the North American showpiece - US$655m - will be performance-based payments to 48 participating nations with the champions taking US$50m (NZ$86m) and the runners-up US$33m (NZ$57m).
"The FIFA World Cup 2026 will also be groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community," FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
The 16 nations that fail to survive beyond the initial group phase will earn US$9m while in addition, each qualified nation is entitled to US$1.5m to cover preparation costs.
FIFA's Council also confirmed festival-style youth tournaments for under-15s open to all member associations to commence in 2026 with a boys' event followed by a girls' competition in 2027.
"In recent years, FIFA has stepped up its efforts to boost youth football," Infantino said. "This is a natural next step."
FIFA Council also confirmed that the 2028 Women's Club World Cup will be held from 5-30 January.
-Reuters