FIFA World Cup Prize Money Over Time
The evolution of the FIFA World Cup format reflects the tournament’s growth from a modest invitational event in 1930, into a truly global spectacle. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition yet, featuring more teams, more matches, and more host nations than ever before. The prize money for 2026 has also risen dramatically, with the total prize pool increasing by 50% compared to the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
FIFA World Cup Trophy
World Cup Prize Money (in millions of US dollars)
| Year | Total Prize Pool | Winner's Prize |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 655 | 50 |
| 2022 | 440 | 42 |
| 2018 | 400 | 38 |
| 2014 | 576 | 35 |
| 2010 | 420 | 30 |
| 2006 | 425 | 30 |
| 2002 | 134 | 7.6 |
| 1998 | 6 | |
| 1994 | 4 | |
| 1990 | 3.5 | |
| 1986 | 2.8 | |
| 1982 | 2.2 |
Notes:
- The prize money figures are sourced from several different sources and may not be entirely accurate. Nevertheless, they illustrate the overall trend in the growth of FIFA World Cup prize money over time.
- The 2006 money is an estimated amount when converted from Swiss francs.
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