FIFA has officially confirmed the distribution model for its new Club World Cup, which will feature $1 billion in total prize money for the 32 participating clubs.
The winner of the 32-team tournament, set to take place in the United States from June 15 to July 13, 2025, can earn up to $125 million, making it the most lucrative club competition in history.
Prize Money Breakdown
Group Stage: $2 million per win, $1 million per draw
Round of 16: Additional $7.5 million
Quarter-finals: Additional $13.125 million
Semi-finals: Additional $21 million
Finalist: Additional $30 million
Winner: Additional $40 million
FIFA: “The Biggest-Ever Prize Money for a Club Tournament”
FIFA President Gianni Infantino explained the significance of the prize fund, stating:
“The distribution model of the FIFA Club World Cup reflects the pinnacle of club football and represents the biggest-ever prize money for a football tournament comprising a seven-match group stage and playoff format with a potential payout of $125 million foreseen for the winners.”
The expanded Club World Cup will bring together top clubs from six confederations:
AFC (Asia)
CAF (Africa)
Concacaf (North & Central America)
CONMEBOL (South America)
OFC (Oceania)
UEFA (Europe)
Global Solidarity Fund Worth $250 Million
In addition to the prize money for the participating clubs, FIFA has introduced an unprecedented $250 million global solidarity investment programme to support club football development worldwide.
Infantino reiterated that FIFA will not retain any funding from the tournament and that all revenues will be redistributed to club football:
“This solidarity will undoubtedly provide a significant boost in our ongoing efforts in making football truly global.”
“Not only that, but FIFA will neither retain any funding for this tournament, as all revenues will be distributed to club football, nor will it touch FIFA’s reserves, which are set aside for global football development through the 211 FIFA Member Associations.”
Manchester City and Chelsea Could Earn £97m Each
Premier League clubs Manchester City and Chelsea—who qualified by winning the 2021 and 2023 UEFA Champions League titles, respectively—are among the biggest beneficiaries of the record prize fund.
They could earn up to £97 million ($125 million) if they win all their matches in the seven-game format.
Overall prize fund: £775 million ($1 billion)
Guaranteed participation fund: £407 million ($525 million)
Performance-based earnings: £368 million ($475 million)
FIFA Confirms Club Earnings Will Be Weighted
European clubs will earn more for participation than teams from other continents due to FIFA’s ranking system, based on sporting and commercial criteria.
Top-ranked European club: £29.6 million ($38 million) just for participating
Group-stage win: £1.5 million ($2 million)
Round of 16: £5.8 million ($7.5 million)
Quarter-finals: £10.2 million ($13.1 million)
Semi-finals: £16.3 million ($21 million)
Finalists: £31 million ($40 million)
Winner: £40 million ($51.7 million)
Tournament Format and European Qualification
The Club World Cup was previously a seven-team annual event but will now feature 32 teams every four years.
12 European clubs have qualified based on UEFA Champions League performances over the past four seasons.
Only two clubs per country can qualify.
Liverpool (2022 UCL finalists) did not qualify due to the two-club-per-country rule, but Chelsea (2021 winners) and Manchester City (2023 winners) did.
Other European clubs qualified based on UEFA’s ranking system, considering performances over four years.
“Tournament Now Looks Very Worthwhile for the Biggest Clubs”
The success of the expanded Club World Cup hinges on elite clubs like Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid, and Bayern Munich, who have secured substantial revenue for participation.
These clubs will earn a minimum of £40 million ($52 million) if they progress from the group stage and could pocket up to £97 million ($125 million) for winning the tournament.
“The biggest clubs will argue they are already stretched in terms of the football calendar and will miss out on pre-season revenue, but this tournament now looks very worthwhile for those involved.”
“Those revenues will give Chelsea and Manchester City more room to stay on the right side of profit and sustainability regulations, but they could distort the competition with smaller leagues in Europe and beyond, in the same way that Champions League participation gives clubs a major financial advantage.”
FIFA: “This Tournament Will Help Grow the Game”
FIFA maintains that the expanded Club World Cup will help distribute money beyond Europe and support clubs outside the traditional elite.
However, elite European clubs have leveraged their importance in negotiations to secure a larger share of the record prize fund.
Infantino insists the competition will help grow the global game while offering unprecedented financial rewards:
“This tournament will help grow the game beyond Europe and distribute money to clubs outside the traditional elite.”
