- Programme will directly reward all clubs releasing players for the FIFA World Cup 26TM qualifiers.
- Total of USD 355 million set aside to benefit the club game.
- Deal a key part of the renewed partnership between ECA & FIFA, leading to a financial increase of 70% from the previous edition.
Through ECA’s strategic partnership with FIFA, more clubs than ever will share in the success of the FIFA World Cup™. Together, we have collaborated to ensure the delivery of an enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme (CBP) for the 2026 edition of the men’s tournament.
After renewing our strategic partnership with FIFA in March 2023, we confirmed that USD 355 million overall would be distributed to clubs. In addition, even more clubs will benefit from their players taking part in the qualification campaign for the FIFA World Cup 26™. For the first time, every club with a player involved in either the qualifiers or the final tournament will receive a direct share of the fund.
This change ensures that clubs are compensated whenever a player is released for FIFA World Cup duty, regardless of whether they appear in the final competition. It represents well-deserved recognition of the vital role clubs play in developing players for international football.
“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“A record USD 355 million will be distributed to clubs for the release of their players, and this reinforces our solid collaboration with the European Club Association and clubs worldwide as we all look forward to a groundbreaking and globally inclusive edition of the FIFA World Cup next year.”
Speaking about the programme, ECA Chairman, Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, said: "At ECA we are pleased to have collaborated with FIFA to support the development of this innovative new FIFA Club Benefits Programme. It will ensure even more clubs across the world are rewarded for releasing players and highlights exactly how ECA’s Memorandum of Understanding with FIFA supports the ongoing growth of the global club game.
"Clubs play a pivotal role in the success of national team football and this initiative recognises every element of it, from early development through to release for the most important games. We look forward to continuing to work closely with FIFA, and the global football community, to ensure we keep driving growth and development of international football."
This announcement builds on the recent 100% increase in funds distributed to clubs with players called up for the UEFA Women’s EURO in Switzerland this summer through the UEFA Club Benefits Program, driven by UEFA and ECA’s strong partnership and collaboration.
ECA is committed to proactively working with key stakeholders in the global game to ensure clubs are rewarded for their integral role in training and developing players for the international stage.