World football’s governing body, FIFA, has approved a record financial distribution package of nearly $900 million for participating teams at the FIFA World Cup 2026, alongside a raft of regulatory changes and historic inclusivity measures.
The decision was taken at a FIFA Council meeting held ahead of the 76th FIFA Congress in Vancouver, Canada, one of the host cities for the expanded 48-team tournament set to kick off in 44 days. The Council confirmed a 15 per cent increase in financial allocation, bringing the total distribution to $871 million for all participating member associations.
Under the new structure, preparation funds have been increased from $1.5 million to $2.5 million per team, while qualification payments will rise from $9 million to $10 million. Additional provisions include subsidies for team delegation costs and enhanced ticket allocations valued at over $16 million, reflecting FIFA’s effort to ease logistical and operational burdens on teams.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino said the move underscores the organisation’s financial strength and commitment to reinvesting in the global game. “FIFA is proud to be in its most solid financial position ever, enabling us to help all our Member Associations in an unprecedented way. This is one more example of how FIFA’s resources are reinvested back into the game,” he stated.
Beyond financial matters, the Council also approved a landmark decision to allow the Afghan Women’s Refugee Team to compete in official FIFA competitions. The move follows the team’s debut during the FIFA Unites – Women’s Series 2025 and required amendments to FIFA Governance Regulations.
Infantino described the development as a significant step forward for inclusivity in football. “We are proud of the beautiful journey initiated by Afghan Women United, and with this initiative we aim to enable them, as well as other FIFA Member Associations that may not be able to register a national or representative team for a FIFA competition, to make the next step, in coordination with the relevant confederation,” he said.
On the regulatory front, FIFA confirmed adjustments to disciplinary rules for the 2026 tournament, including a revised yellow-card system. Single yellow cards will now be cleared after the group stage and again after the quarter-finals, reflecting the expanded format that includes an additional knockout round.
The Council also approved the implementation of new laws introduced by International Football Association Board, targeting player conduct. These include sanctions for players who leave the field in protest of refereeing decisions and those who cover their mouths while speaking during confrontations, practices seen as undermining transparency and fair play.
