"Just Stepping on the Pitch Earns 15.5 Billion Won"... 2026 FIFA World Cup Kicks Off as the Most Lucrative Event in History

[Financial News] The 2026 FIFA World Cup is shaping up to be the biggest 'money game' in history. With the number of participating countries expanding to 48, the scale of FIFA’s financial outlay has reached unprecedented levels.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) approved a total of $727 million (about 1.0743 trillion won) in financial support for the 2026 World Cup at its council meeting in Doha, Qatar, on the 17th (local time). This represents a staggering 50% increase compared to the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The tournament is no longer just a football competition but a battleground of massive capital.
The key lies in the 'participation fee' and 'champion’s prize.' This year, teams qualifying for the finals will receive life-changing sums just by stepping onto the field. Even if a team loses all three group stage matches and is eliminated, it is guaranteed at least $10.5 million (about 15.5 billion won), combining the base prize of $9 million and a $1.5 million preparation allowance.
The prize money increases exponentially with each victory. The ultimate winner will claim the honor of being world champion along with a staggering $50 million (about 73.9 billion won) in prize money. The runner-up will receive $33 million (about 48.8 billion won). This far surpasses the $42 million awarded to the champion of the previous tournament in Qatar.


Hong Myung-bo’s squad now has even greater motivation. If the Korean national team achieves its first goal of advancing past the group stage (Round of 32), the prize money jumps to $12.5 million (about 18.5 billion won). Reaching the Round of 16 secures $16.5 million (about 24.4 billion won).
What if, as Coach Hong Myung-bo has declared, the team rewrites history by reaching the quarterfinals—the best-ever result on foreign soil?
Combining the $19 million prize with the preparation allowance, the total jackpot would reach $20.5 million (about 30.4 billion won). This amount could cover a significant portion of the Korea Football Association (KFA)’s annual budget in a single tournament.
Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, declared, "The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be a groundbreaking event in terms of financial contributions."
With total prize money surpassing 1 trillion won, football fans around the world are turning their eyes to the dazzling 'goal fest' and the ensuing 'money fest' set to unfold in North and Central America.


jsi@fnnews.com Jeon Sang-il Reporter