Ghana could earn at least $10.5 million simply by qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup after FIFA approved a record $727 million prize-money package for the expanded tournament to be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The decision, taken by the FIFA Council ahead of next year’s global showpiece, represents a 50 per cent increase on the prize money paid out at the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The 2026 edition will feature 48 teams and 104 matches, significantly boosting participation and financial returns.
Under the new framework, $655 million will be distributed among the 48 qualified teams as performance-based prize money. Nations finishing between 33rd and 48th will each receive $9 million, while those placed 17th to 32nd will earn $11 million.
In addition, every qualified team will be paid $1.5 million to support preparation costs. This ensures a guaranteed minimum earning of $10.5 million for each country that reaches the finals, regardless of on-field performance.
At the top end of the scale, the 2026 World Cup champions will take home $50 million, with the runners-up earning $33 million.
Teams finishing third and fourth will receive $29 million and $27 million, respectively, while quarter-finalists will earn $19 million. Nations reaching the round of 16 will each receive $15 million.
For Ghana, the announcement significantly heightens the financial importance of qualification. Beyond the prestige of returning to the World Cup, a place at the finals would inject vital funds into Ghanaian football at a time when development, logistics and player welfare continue to face financial pressures.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the approval as a landmark for the global game, noting that the 2026 tournament would be “groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community.”
FIFA said the revised prize structure reflects its commitment to redistributing World Cup revenues more broadly as the competition expands in scale and commercial value.
The world governing body projects record revenues of around $13 billion over the 2023–2026 cycle, driven largely by the expanded World Cup.
With Africa’s allocation increasing from five to nine slots, Ghana’s qualification prospects have improved. However, the financial implications are clear: failure to qualify would carry a high competitive and economic cost.
As Ghana steps up its qualification campaign, the message from FIFA is clear — a ticket to the 2026 World Cup is not only a sporting goal, but a major economic opportunity worth at least $10.5 million before a ball is kicked.
