Premier League Clubs to Benefit from Increased Transfer Funds Following FIFA’s Rule Change Ahead of 2026 World Cup
The Premier League teams such as Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham are expected to receive a larger amount of money from transfer deals following a recent rule change by FIFA. This alteration in the regulations is in preparation for the next two World Cups.
FIFA has declared an immense 75% growth in their Club Benefit Programme, which offers compensation to clubs for allowing their players to participate in the World Cup internationals. The new sum now stands at £290million ($355million), and it will be distributed worldwide as plans are set in motion for the 2026 tournament.
North America, comprising Canada, Mexico, and the United States, will host the upcoming competition, which will feature an expanded format, increasing the number of teams from 30 to 48. Consequently, the number of matches will increase from 64 to 104, and the incentive programme has also been inflated.
During the preceding World Cup, held in November and December 2022, a number of teams received millions of pounds in compensation for their players’ participation. According to the Daily Mail, Manchester City benefited the most, with £4.5million going to them due to their 16 players’ involvement.
Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham, along with Manchester United, are among the top five English clubs to have earned from the Club Benefit Programme. Chelsea received the highest amount of £2.46 million, surpassing Arsenal’s £2.1 million and Tottenham’s £2.32 million, as all three clubs had more than ten players participating in the World Cup.
The increase in the pool of money for the 2026 tournament is substantial, but with more teams and nations to distribute it among, it remains unclear how the funds will be divided. Nonetheless, it appears that the money will provide a boost to these clubs, who are set to receive compensation from the qualifiers in 2025 and beyond.
A statement from FIFA reads: “The Club Benefits Programme, which compensates all clubs who release players for the men’s World Cup, will now increase from $209 million for the 2018 and 2022 FIFA World Cup to $355 million for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments.”
While FIFA president Gianni Infantino added: “This is a significant day for the future of football and its long-term stability. We are very happy to renew and strengthen our cooperation agreement with ECA, an important stakeholder representing clubs from all over Europe.”
