Cliff Notes – Club World Cup winners to earn up to $125 million in prize money

FIFA has announced a total prize pool of $1 billion for the upcoming Club World Cup, with winners potentially earning up to $125 million.
Approximately half of the total prize money will be distributed among all 32 participating clubs based on sporting and commercial criteria, favouring larger clubs.
Concerns have been raised regarding player welfare due to the tournament’s scheduling, with players like Harry Kane highlighting the lack of off-season breaks.

Club World Cup winners to earn up to $125 million in prize money

The winners of this year’s 32-team Club World Cup to be held in the United States will earn up to $125 million, FIFA said on Wednesday.

World football’s governing body had announced earlier this month a total prize pot of $1 billion for the June 14-July 13 event, significant in the current climate of financial regulation for clubs.

“FIFA will neither retain any funding for this tournament, as all revenues will be distributed to club football, nor will it touch FIFA’s reserves, which are set aside for global football development through the 211 FIFA Member Associations,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

About half of the $1bn total will be divided between all 32 clubs, with the amount per club based on sporting and commercial criteria, meaning clubs such as Manchester City and Real Madrid will receive a greater percentage than smaller clubs in a model FIFA developed with the European Club Association.

The Club World Cup is due to begin on June 14. Eva Marie Uzcategui – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

A further $475m will be awarded on a performance-related basis, meaning the team with the most wins over a potential seven matches will bank more cash, with a maximum pot of $125m available.

Numerous players and coaches, including England captain Harry Kane, have voiced concern over player welfare with the revamped Club World Cup meaning less time off between seasons.

“Of course it’s another summer where you don’t really have a break,” Kane said this week. “I think we’re getting used to it. There’s nothing really we can do about it.”

The Bayern Munich striker said he had high hopes for the event, however, telling FIFA.com that his goal was: “To win it. We’re one of the best teams in the world, without a doubt, so every tournament we go into, the idea is to win.”