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European countries still expect to lose money at World Cup despite prize fund increase
TL;DR
European countries anticipate financial losses at the World Cup despite FIFA's $112 million increase in the prize fund. The main host, US Soccer, expects an operational loss but will benefit from a $100 million revenue-sharing agreement.
Key points
- FIFA increased the World Cup prize fund by $112 million.
- US Soccer forecasts an operational loss despite a $100 million windfall.
- European countries expect costs to exceed FIFA's payments.
- Uefa lobbied for increased funding, resulting in a 15% budget increase.
- Minimum prize money for teams is now $12.5 million.
Mentioned in this story
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A number of leading European countries still expect to lose money at the World Cup despite Fifa increasing the prize and participation fund by $112m (£82m) this week.
The main host federation, US Soccer, is also understood to be forecasting an operational loss on the tournament, although that will be more than offset by a projected $100m windfall from a revenue-sharing agreement from ticket sales with Fifa that will also benefit the two other co-hosts, Canada and Mexico.
The other big national associations will not have that advantage and sources at several say their costs this summer will still exceed Fifa’s payments.
Uefa had led the lobbying for increased funding, with the Fifa Council responding by confirming it would increase the budget by 15% to $871m.
All 48 participating countries are guaranteed a minimum of $12.5m, up from $10.5m, but the round-by-round prize money has not increased and the remaining additional money will go to the teams in the form of extra subsidies for delegation costs and increased ticketing allocations.
Fifa opted to split the increased payouts equally rather than pegging them to performance, whereas the leading European nations had wanted a change in the distribution system to make it more merit-based.
An additional $2m is paid for reaching the last 32, then $4m more for getting to the last 16 and a further $4m for qualifying for the quarter-finals, with the biggest leap reserved for teams who finish fourth (another $8m), third ($10m), as runners-up ($14m) and as champions ($31m).
Zohran Mamdani, mayor of New York City, during a World Cup announcement at Staten Island. The buildup to the tournament has been dominated by many host venues’ fears over costs. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images
Under Fifa’s system, the larger FAs, such as England, France and Germany, will rack up bigger losses the further they progress owing to the high costs of travel, accommodation and , with even the significant prize money available for reaching the semi-finals, for example, offset by bonus liabilities to players.
Q&A
How much has FIFA increased the World Cup prize fund?
FIFA has increased the World Cup prize fund by $112 million, raising the total budget to $871 million.
Which countries are expected to lose money at the World Cup?
Several leading European countries and the main host federation, US Soccer, expect to incur financial losses during the World Cup.
What is the minimum prize money guaranteed to participating countries?
All 48 participating countries are guaranteed a minimum of $12.5 million, up from the previous $10.5 million.