Zurich, Dec 18 (V7N) — The 2026 FIFA World Cup is set to become the largest and most lucrative tournament in World Cup history, with 48 teams participating and a record prize pool of $655 million, FIFA announced on Wednesday.

The total prize budget represents a 50 percent increase compared to the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In Bangladeshi currency, the amount stands at approximately Tk 7,998 crore 93 lakh 6 thousand.

According to FIFA’s announcement, the champion team of the 2026 World Cup will receive $50 million, equivalent to around Tk 610 crore 60 lakh 60 thousand. In comparison, champions Argentina earned approximately Tk 512 crore 90 lakh 90 thousand after winning the 2022 edition.

The runner-up will receive about Tk 402 crore 99 lakh 99 thousand, while the third-placed team will earn Tk 354 crore 15 lakh 15 thousand. The fourth-placed team will take home around Tk 329 crore 72 lakh 73 thousand.

Teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will each receive approximately Tk 232 crore 3 lakh 3 thousand, while those knocked out in the round of 16 will earn about Tk 183 crore 18 lakh 18 thousand.

With the introduction of the round of 32 for the first time, teams eliminated at that stage will receive around Tk 134 crore 33 lakh 33 thousand. Meanwhile, teams exiting at the group stage will be awarded approximately Tk 109 crore 90 lakh 90 thousand.

In addition, each participating nation will receive around Tk 18 crore 31 lakh 82 thousand as preparation funding. As a result, every team is guaranteed to earn at least Tk 128 crore 22 lakh 73 thousand from the tournament.

The 23rd FIFA World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and is scheduled to take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026.

END/SMA/AJ