The financial state of European football federations raises concerns ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup. They believe that the participation of teams could result in significant losses. The main factors contributing to this are rising costs, the lack of agreed tax benefits, and the extended duration of the tournament.
FIFA has announced record prize money of £539 million; however, these funds may not cover all expenses incurred by the teams. Each qualified team will receive $9 million, as well as $1.5 million for preparation. Nevertheless, daily allowances for delegations are decreasing from $850 to $600, which could lead to losses of about $500,000 for a month of participation.
Particular concern is raised by the tax policy in the United States. Unlike Canada and Mexico, where tax benefits are provided for teams, such conditions have not yet been agreed upon in the U.S. Tax rates range from 10.75% in New Jersey to 13.3% in California, creating unequal conditions for teams.
Additional expenses are due to the length of the tournament, logistical aspects of travel, rising ticket prices, and fluctuations in the dollar exchange rate. Federations can only hope for long-term benefits from participation in the North American market and how the tournament can help promote football.
