In just a few hours’ time, the new world champions will be crowned in New Jersey. Two teams who have previously lifted the trophy will be aiming to repeat the feat and add another gold star to their jersey.

For Argentina, victory would pull them level with Germany and Italy with four titles, and would also them one of three teams to win successive tournaments (Italy and Brazil are currently the only two nations to have successfully defended the trophy).

Standing in their way will be Spain - the team that started the group stage as the bookmakers’ favorites. La Roja have their hearts set on a second title, to add to the one they won in South Africa 16 years ago. The team quietly but confidently made its way through each stage without fanfare or controversy and now stand as the favorites to win this 23rd edition of the World Cup.

Apart from the heady euphoria of being proclaimed the best team on the planet, names etched in history and the bonus of another embroidered gold star, there is also a significant cash prize for the team that holds the trophy aloft at MetLife Stadium this evening.

How much prize money do teams receive at the 2026 World Cup?

The 2026 world champions will receive $51 million, while the runner-up will take home $34 million.

It is a generous increase on the amount which the winners and runners-up received the last time around. Four years ago at Qatar 2022, Argentina, received $42 million as champions while runners-up France were awarded $30 million.

Cash prizes will be drawn from the massive $703 million pool which FIFA announced will be distributed between all of the 48 participating teams. It is almost double the $440 million distributed at Qatar 2022, with an additional 16 teams taking part in this current edition.

Breakdown of 2026 World Cup prize money

Each of the 48 teams will receive a guaranteed base payment of $12.5 million which includes $10 million in qualification money and $2.5 million “to cover preparation costs”. Additional money will be distributed based on how far each team progresses.

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