Spain won the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Here’s how much they got in prize money
The 2026 FIFA World Cup featured a record $727 million prize pool, with more teams than ever competing for the title.
This year’s tournament was the largest, with 48 teams competing to advance to the championship. Spain was crowned the champion after defeating Argentina 1-0 in extra time during the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Get the Facts Data Team compiled how much World Cup champions, runners-up and third-place teams earned this year and how the amounts compare to prize money over the past two decades.
How much will the champions get?
Spain will take home $50 million, the highest prize money ever awarded to a World Cup winner.
Argentina received $42 million for winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Adjusted for inflation, that prize would be worth about $47.4 million today.
France earned $38 million for winning the 2018 World Cup after defeating Croatia in the final. That’s worth about $50.5 million today, slightly more than this year’s top prize.
The 2006 World Cup prize money was awarded in Swiss francs. Italy received 25.5 million CHF for winning the tournament. The data team converted that amount to U.S. dollars, which was worth $19.8 million at the time.
How much do runners-up make?
Argentina will take home $33 million, $3 million more than what France earned for placing second in the 2022 World Cup.
Croatia was awarded $28 million for finishing in second place in the 2018 World Cup. That $28 million would be $37.2 million in today’s dollars.
How much will third place win?
England will receive $4 million less than the runner-up team. The third-place prize money has increased by $2 million in past tournaments since 2006.
Of the 48 teams that competed in the group stages, the first 16 nations eliminated from the tournament received $9 million. Those eliminated in the round of 32 received $11 million.