Korea Secures KRW 18.5 Billion Despite Group Stage Exit...Champion Spain to Receive KRW 75.4 Billion

Record-Breaking Prize Pool for FIFA World Cup
FIFA Also Covers Airfare and Accommodation

Spain, the winner of the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup, will receive $51 million (KRW 7.54 billion) in prize money, the largest amount ever awarded in World Cup history.

The Spanish team that won the 2026 FIFA North and Central America World Cup. Photo by EPA Yonhap News

According to the Associated Press on July 20 (local time), Spain defeated Argentina 1–0 after extra time in the final match of the North and Central America World Cup, held at the New York-New Jersey Stadium in the United States that day, and will receive $51 million in prize money.

FIFA has significantly increased the prize pool for this tournament. The total amount paid out to the 48 nations competing in the finals reaches $871 million (approximately KRW 1.2878 trillion), making it the largest in history.

Spain, as the champion, receives $51 million, which is $9 million more than the $42 million paid to Argentina, the winner of the 2022 Qatar World Cup. The total prize pool for the Qatar World Cup, which featured 32 teams, was $440 million.

This amount includes over $100 million (KRW 147.9 billion) that was added last April, after some European football associations requested additional support due to the increased burden of travel and accommodation expenses. As the 2026 World Cup was co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the costs of long-distance travel and staying in various locations increased significantly.

The Associated Press reported, "Spain's prize money is substantial, but it is relatively small compared to the money circulating in world football," and added, "It is even less than what the FIFA Club World Cup winners earned last year at the tournament held in the United States."

Minimum $12.5 million guaranteed for each nation in the finals

FIFA pays the 48 football associations whose teams competed in the finals two types of payments: performance-based prize money and funds for training and preparation. Every participating nation is guaranteed at least $12.5 million (approximately KRW 18.5 billion), which consists of $10 million in prize money for reaching the group stage and $2.5 million to cover training and preparation costs before the tournament. Prize money increases as teams advance to higher stages of the tournament. As champion, Spain will receive a total of $53.5 million (KRW 7.91 billion) when the $51 million prize is combined with the $2.5 million in preparatory support.

Prize money increased at the request of European football associations

Previously, some football associations, especially in Europe, argued that with only the prize money and preparation costs set by FIFA last year, a federation could incur losses if a team failed to reach the advanced rounds. Philippe Diallo, president of the French Football Federation, told the sports media outlet L'Equipe that, over several months, he communicated to FIFA President Gianni Infantino that compensation for participating nations was insufficient.

In particular, it was pointed out that the prize money for national teams is dwarfed by the $115 million (KRW 170.0275 billion) paid to Chelsea, the winner of the Club World Cup last year.

At that time, FIFA promised to pay more than $100 million to the Club World Cup winners to encourage Europe's top teams to participate.

On the 11th of last month (local time), at the Zapopan Guadalajara Stadium in Mexico, the Korean national team was singing the national anthem during the first match of Group A of the 2026 CONCACAF World Cup against the Czech Republic. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Runner-up prize: KRW 50.3 billion... Korea also receives KRW 18.5 billion

Argentina, who finished second in this tournament, will receive $34 million (about KRW 50.3 billion) in prize money. England, in third place, will earn $30 million (KRW 44.4 billion), while France, in fourth, will receive $28 million (KRW 41.4 billion).

Quarterfinalists each receive $20 million (KRW 29.6 billion), round of 16 teams receive $16 million (KRW 23.7 billion) each, teams eliminated in the round of 32 each get $12 million (KRW 17.7 billion), and those knocked out in the group stage receive $10 million (KRW 14.8 billion) each. Korea, which was eliminated in the group stage, will receive a total of $12.5 million (about KRW 18.5 billion), including the $10 million for participation in the finals and $2.5 million for preparation costs.

FIFA covers airfare and accommodation costs

In addition to prize money, FIFA covers airfare and accommodation for each participating nation. According to World Cup regulations, FIFA provides business class round-trip air tickets for each association’s delegation and supports the accommodation and meal costs for up to 50 people, including squad members.

Accommodation support applies from five days before each team’s first match until the day after they are eliminated. FIFA also covers domestic travel within the host nations for up to 50 delegates and provides dedicated vehicles, including trucks for transporting equipment.

However, participating associations must pay for insurance covering injuries, accidents, illnesses, and travel, as well as any incidental hotel expenses and accommodation for any people exceeding the 50-person limit.

Gold-plated replica for the champion... Prize money paid to associations

The greatest honor of winning the World Cup is the trophy. Spain lifted the World Cup trophy during the awards ceremony held after the final. However, the original World Cup trophy cannot be retained permanently, so Spain will be awarded a gold-plated replica for display and safekeeping.

For the first time this year, championship rings were also given to the winning players.

World Cup prize money is paid not to individual players but to the national football associations. The way the money is distributed to the squad is determined by each association’s own regulations. For example, the U.S. Soccer Federation retains 20% of the prize money, dividing the remaining 80% equally between the men's and women's national teams.

This arrangement stems from a prior agreement by the U.S. Soccer Federation to pay equal prize money to both the men's and women's teams for the 2022 tournament. The United States is the first national federation in football to guarantee this level of gender-equal compensation.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.