The FIFA World Cup 2026 is set to become the largest sporting event in history, with 48 teams competing across the United States, Mexico, and Canada starting June 11, 2026.
For the first time, 48 nations will participate up from 32 in the 2022 edition making it the most expansive World Cup ever.
Defending champions Argentina will look to retain their title, while teams like Jordan, Uzbekistan, Cape Verde, and Curaçao are set to make their historic debut appearances.
Beyond the expanded lineup, the tournament will also feature record-breaking prize money. FIFA has allocated a total prize pool of $871 million nearly double that of the 2022 World Cup.
Each team will receive $2.5 million for preparation and $10 million upon qualification, guaranteeing at least $12.5 million per team. Additional earnings will depend on performance throughout the tournament.
The winning team will take home $53.5 million, significantly higher than the $42 million awarded in 2022. The runner-up will receive $36.5 million, while third and fourth place teams will earn $32.5 million and $30.5 million respectively.
Teams finishing between fifth and eighth place will each receive $22.5 million, while those ranked ninth to sixteenth will get $18.5 million.
Teams placed seventeenth to thirty-second will earn $14.5 million, and those finishing thirty-third to forty-eighth will receive $12.5 million.
A total of 104 matches will be played in this edition, compared to 64 matches in the 2022 tournament.
