FIFA has increased the World Cup winners' prize to a colossal £37m – a rise of almost £6m on the sum that went to Argentina in 2022 – delivering a fresh reminder of what might have been for the England squad now out of the tournament.
Lionel Messi and Co could bank the top prize again on Sunday after coming from behind to defy Thomas Tuchel's much-maligned tactics in Wednesday's semi-final. Spain, who beat France in their semi-final, stand in their way as they seek a second title.
“World Cup winners' prize rises to £37m as England rue semi-final defeat to Argentina.”
If Spain prevail, 45 per cent of the £37m – about £17m – will be split between the players, equating to almost £640,000 per man and £324,000 after tax, according to Cope and ABC. The runners-up will receive a £28m payout; in Spain's case, 40 per cent (about £9.8m) will be distributed among the players, working out at £374,000 gross and £196,000 net.
The deal, struck by Spanish Football Federation president Rafael Louzan, represents a huge increase on what the players received for winning Euro 2024 in Germany. After beating England in the final, the players got about £366,000 gross, little more than half what they will receive for winning the World Cup.
A similar arrangement would have been in place for the England squad had they gone all the way and ended the country's 60-year wait to win a major tournament. Instead, they will face France in Miami on Saturday for the bronze medal after losing to Argentina in the semi-finals.
The manner of that defeat has heaped pressure on Tuchel, who insists he is the right man to lead the team to Euro 2028, which will be played in the UK. "Yes, 100 per cent," he said. "There is still enough to improve, and I am more than happy to do that."
Tuchel added: "I said after the Norway game that I see a disconnect from what I see in training on a football level and within the games, I think we can impose ourselves more on the ball. I still think we can show how good football players we are. I think that is still in us, as I see it in training and in every camp."
In total, about £741m will be distributed between the 48 competing teams after the biggest and longest World Cup of all time. Just playing in the tournament ensured each national association received an £8m payout.
