DOHA (QATAR) (ITALPRESS) – A record prize pool. From the Fifa Council meeting in Doha came the free way for an unprecedented financial contribution to the World Cup of 2026: 727 million dollars (about 618 million euros) will be distributed among the 48 nationals, 50% more than the 2022 edition in Qatar. In particular, 557 million euros will be divided as prizes according to the results: 42.5 million (50 million dollars) for those who win the World Cup, 28 to the losing finalist, 24,5 to the third and 23 to the fourth; who goes out to the quarters will earn 16 million euros, 12.7 million euros for those who stop to the eighth and 9.3 million for nationals eliminated to the sixteenths; who does not exceed the group will receive 7.6 million. The Fifa will also make a contribution from 1,27 million to all nationals to cover the preparation costs for which 9 million euros are guaranteed to each Federation which will take part in the World Cup. “The World Cup 2026 will also be revolutionary from the point of view of the financial contribution to the global football community,” said Fifa Gianni Infantino.
The Fifa Council also confirmed the introduction of new Under 15 tournaments in festival format, open to all 211 affiliated federations: the first edition will be reserved to the male teams and will be held in 2026, the second, in 2027, will see the protagonists of the female teams. Starting in 2028, then, all the Federations will be invited to participate with their own U15 teams in two separate competitions, with the games that will have a reduced duration, on smaller fields and teams consisting of seven to nine players per part. It also approved the establishment of a fund for post-conflict resumption as announced by Infantino on 13 October, at the Sharm El-Sheikh peace summit: it will be a financial instrument aimed at supporting the conflict-stricken regions. With the enlargement of the Olympic tournament participants from Los Angeles 2028, the Fifa Council confirmed the new distribution. For women the 16 places will be divided as follows: 2.5 AFC, 2 CAF, 3 Concacaf, 2.5 Conmebol, 1 OFC, 4 Uefa and 1 to the host country; for men the 12 slots will be distributed in this way: 2 AFC, 2 CAF, 1 Concacaf, 2 Conmebol, 1 OFC, 3 Uefa and 1 to the U.S. as an organizer. The first edition will be held from 5 to 30 January 2028.
– photo IPA Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
