FIFA has announced that the winners of the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup, set to take place in the United States, will claim a record-breaking $125 million, as part of a newly confirmed $1 billion prize pool.

The tournament, scheduled from June 14 to July 13, will feature a total prize allocation of $525 million in guaranteed payments to participating teams. The highest-ranked European team, expected to be Real Madrid, will receive $38.19 million, while the lowest-ranked team, Auckland City from Oceania, will earn $3.58 million.

An additional $475 million will be distributed based on match results throughout the 63-game tournament. Group stage victories will earn teams $2 million each, while advancing to the round of 16 secures $7.5 million. The champion, crowned at MetLife Stadium near New York, will walk away with a staggering $40 million.

FIFA’s prize money announcement had been delayed as negotiations for a global broadcast deal extended into December. The contract was eventually sealed with DAZN, a streaming service that later received significant investment from Saudi Arabia’s state-backed sports agency. The Gulf nation was also confirmed as the host of the 2034 FIFA World Cup.

European teams will receive the highest guaranteed payments, with each of the 12 participating clubs securing at least $12.81 million as an entry fee. FIFA stated that the final amounts will be determined based on "a ranking system considering sporting and commercial criteria," though further details were not disclosed.

The European lineup includes top clubs such as Manchester City, Bayern Munich, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea, which qualified either through recent UEFA Champions League victories or consistent performances in the competition. Due to a two-team cap per country—except for nations with three Champions League winners—Austria’s Salzburg secured the final European slot, despite never advancing beyond the round of 16.

In South America, the six participating teams will receive $15.21 million each, while teams from Africa, Asia, and the CONCACAF region—including Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami—will be awarded $9.55 million. Meanwhile, Mexican club León is currently contesting FIFA’s decision to exclude it from the tournament due to its shared ownership with Pachuca, which has already qualified.

Beyond the competing teams, FIFA has earmarked $250 million to be distributed to clubs worldwide that did not qualify, though details on how many clubs will benefit and their respective payouts remain unclear.

For comparison, the total prize pool for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar was set at $440 million, making this Club World Cup one of the most lucrative tournaments in football history.

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