TO THE MEMBER ASSOCIATIONS OF FIFA Circular no. 1946
Zurich, 16 September 2025
FIFA World Cup 26™ Club Benefits Programme
Dear Sir or Madam,
Since 2010, the FIFA Club Benefits Programme has distributed a significant portion of FIFA World Cup™ revenues to clubs that contribute to the successful staging of the competition by releasing their players for the final tournament.
For the upcoming FIFA World Cup 26™, in accordance with the recently renewed Memorandum of Understanding between FIFA and the European Club Association, an unprecedented fund of USD 355 million has now been allocated to the Programme for the benefit of club football globally, representing an increase of 70% from the 2022 edition.
Additionally, new distribution principles for the Programme will now apply whereby, for the first time ever, all clubs that release one or more players for the FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers (in addition to the final tournament) will also be compensated for said release of players.
The new system and distribution model will be more inclusive by expanding the number of clubs that benefit from the Programme. They will also provide greater transparency regarding the payments that clubs can expect to receive for releasing players for the FIFA World Cup 26 qualifiers and the final tournament.
Full details on the new distribution principles, the financial breakdown of the allocated amount and the registration process for clubs will follow in due course. We thank you for taking note of the above and for informing your affiliated clubs accordingly.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Ornella Desirée Bellia, Director of Professional Football Relations & Development, at club.benefits@fifa.org.
Fédération Internationale de Football Association FIFA-Strasse 20 P.O. Box 8044 Zurich Switzerland T: +41 (0)43 222 7777 www.FIFA.com Yours faithfully,
FÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DE FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION
Mattias Grafström Secretary General
cc: - FIFA Council
- Confederations
- European Club Association
- FIFPRO
- World Leagues Association
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