Several leading European federations still expect to finish the 2026 World Cup in the red, even after Fifa this week raised the tournament's prize and participation fund by $112m (£82m). The Guardian reports that the increases have not gone far enough to offset the elevated costs associated with travelling to and operating within a competition spread across three host nations.
The central concern among European associations is logistical. Flights, hotels, and operational infrastructure across the United States, Canada, and Mexico are expected to cost more than the sums received from Fifa, regardless of how far their respective sides progress. The Guardian notes that a number of these nations had pushed for a greater proportion of prize money to be distributed on merit — rewarding advancement through the rounds — rather than through flat participation payments that treat every qualifier equally.
The position of US Soccer adds a layer of complexity to the broader financial picture. According to the Guardian, the main host federation is itself forecasting an operational loss on staging the tournament, though that shortfall is expected to be more than covered by a projected $100m windfall derived from a revenue-sharing arrangement on ticket sales agreed with Fifa. The two other co-hosts, Canada and Mexico, are understood to benefit from the same agreement.
The situation illustrates one of the structural tensions in modern tournament football. Fifa has significantly expanded the World Cup to 48 teams for 2026, widening access and increasing the total pool of participants, but the revenues generated do not flow evenly. Larger, wealthier European federations argue that their greater commercial value — in terms of broadcast audiences and sponsor interest — is not adequately reflected in what they take home, particularly when travel costs across a vast multi-country host footprint are factored in.
Whether Fifa will revisit the distribution model ahead of future tournaments remains to be seen. For now, several of the continent's most prominent footballing nations are preparing to send squads to North America this summer with an expectation that the experience will cost them more than it returns.