Fifa agrees to increase World Cup prize money after countries raise concerns over costs

• Extra funding to be approved by Fifa Council this week

• National FAs feared losing money at this summer’s finals

Fifa has agreed in principle to increase World Cup 2026 prize money and participation fees, with details of the enhanced funding to be approved at a meeting of the Fifa Council in Vancouver this week.

World football’s governing body has responded to concerns raised by several national associations – first reported by The Guardian in February the high costs of travel, operations and tax in the United States in particular this summer will result in them losing money, even if their side has a successful tournament and reaches the latter stages.