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Your guide to the 2026 World Cup final
Lionel Messi and Argentina face a Spanish team that is unbeaten in 37 consecutive games since the start of 2024. For Spain, the 2026 World Cup final is a chance to win a second world title after the one in 2010. For Argentina, it is a chance to become the first consecutive men’s world champion since Pelé and Brazil did so in 1958 and 1962. Here’s a complete guide to Sunday’s big matchup.
On Sunday, either Spain or Argentina will celebrate their World Cup final victory by hoisting the coveted trophy and a championship ring for each player.
The winning team also receives a huge payout.
MORE: LIVE: FIFA World Cup final – Spain vs Argentina
How much money does the winning team get?
Based on the numbers:
The world champion earns $51 million. The other prices are:
- Runner-up: $34 million
- Third place (England): $30 million
- Fourth place (France): $28 million
- Quarterfinalists (fifth through eighth): $20 million each
- Round of 16 (9th to 16th): $16 million each
- Round of 16 (17th to 32nd): $12 million each
- Group stage (33rd-48th): $10 million each
The FIFA World Cup trophy is on display at the New York/New Jersey Stadium prior to the FIFA World Cup final on July 15, 2026 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jordan Bank – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
The $51 million for Argentina or Spain is a large sum, but it pales in comparison to the fortunes spent on global soccer. According to The Associated Press, the World Cup-winning team will receive less than the transfer fee English club Brighton paid last week for 19-year-old Croatian defender Luka Vušković, who sat on the bench for most of the World Cup.
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What other World Cup teams pay
FIFA will pay a record $871 million to the 48 World Cup teams.
RELATED: FIFA World Cup: What you should know about Spain heading to the final
The money will be paid out in two categories: prize money bonuses based on each team’s progress in the tournament and lump sum payments to cover training and preparation costs.vPrize money increases depending on how far teams progress in the tournament.
All 48 players will receive at least $12.5 million to take part in the World Cup, including $10 million in prize money for qualifying and participating in the group stage. Each will receive $2.5 million for training and pre-tournament expenses.
Do players receive prize money?
Dig Deeper:
It depends on. The prize money paid by FIFA goes to the associations, not the players, but how they distribute it is up to each association.
US Soccer, for example, keeps 20% of the prize money. The remaining 80% the U.S. men’s national soccer team receives will be split equally between the men’s and women’s national teams following a groundbreaking agreement in 2022 to pay the men’s and women’s teams equally.
What else does FIFA pay for?
World Cup: Argentina vs Spain at NY-NJ Stadium
Just over a month after the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina and Spain are in a neck-and-neck race for the championship title. Who will win everything? Reel Talker’s Jim Alexander joined LiveNOW’s Carel Lajara to break down the odds and the stories that have emerged.
In addition to the payout amounts and within the framework of the World Cup regulations, FIFA will cover the costs of return business class flights to the tournament for each association as well as food and accommodation for a 50-strong delegation, including the players. Hotel payments begin five nights before a team’s first game and one night after their elimination.
FIFA will also cover domestic travel costs for up to 50 delegation members as well as “a dedicated fleet of vehicles, including an equipment van.”
What do the World Cup teams pay for?
Each World Cup team pays for “adequate insurance… including but not limited to injuries, accidents, illness and travel,” plus “incidental hotel costs” and accommodation for additional members of a delegation.
Spain vs Argentina
- 3:00 p.m. ET
- New York/New Jersey Stadium
- Network: FOX
Besides watching FOX on live television, there are several ways for the audience to enjoy the football matches.
A free option is FIFA+ and select YouTube streams.
Other paid options include:
The source: This article includes information from The Associated Press and previous FOX Local reporting.
FIFA World Cup
https://www.livenowfox.com/news/world-cup-final-how-much-money-does-winning-team-get
