Tottenham set to receive a large chunk of £263.6m World Cup prize pot

Tottenham Hotspur could receive a major financial boost from FIFA during the 2026 World Cup, thanks to the organisation’s expanded Club Benefits Programme.

The prize pot is worth a staggering £263.6 million, which has been set aside to reward clubs that release players for international duty.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the governing body increased the size of the programme ahead of the 2026 tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

The updated system now covers not only the World Cup, but also qualifying matches and the play-off tournament leading into the finals.

According to FIFA, a record £263.6m will be distributed among clubs worldwide.

The aim is to recognise the role clubs play in developing players and allowing them to represent their countries on the international stage.

The payments are calculated based on how long players remain with their national teams during the tournament. 

Clubs receive money from the moment a player joins up with international duty, usually around 10 days before their nation’s opening match, until the day their country exits the competition. 

Players do not actually need to appear on the pitch for their clubs to qualify for the payment.

While FIFA has not yet announced the exact daily rate for 2026, the figure used during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was £8,131 per day. 

Using that number as a guide, Tottenham could pocket significant sums from several members of their squad.

Spurs are expected to have several players involved in the tournament, including Micky van de Ven, Cristian Romero, Pedro Porro, Rodrigo Bentancur, Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall. 

With so many internationals involved, the club could pocket millions overall if their players progress deep into the competition.

There is also an additional rule that impacts defender Luka Vuskovic. 

FIFA shares payments with clubs a player has represented in the previous two years, meaning Tottenham would divide the money related to Vuskovic among his former and loan clubs.