FIFA is reportedly set to distribute $1 billion in prize cash for the expanded 2025 Membership World Cup in the USA, a supply instructed AFP. This sum considerably surpasses the prize cash awarded for each the final Males’s and Ladies’s World Cups.

Regardless of restricted particulars on funding, FIFA has secured main offers, together with a broadcasting contract with British streaming service DAZN—reportedly price round $1.05 billion—and sponsorship agreements with Coca-Cola, Financial institution of America, Hisense, and AB InBev.

For comparability, the 2022 FIFA Males’s World Cup in Qatar had a complete prize pool of $440 million, whereas the 2023 Ladies’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand provided $110 million. In the meantime, UEFA’s expanded 36-team Champions League will distribute $2.66 billion this season.

The 32-team Membership World Cup, set for June 14 to July 13, has drawn criticism, notably in Europe, over issues about participant workload. The worldwide footballers’ union FIFPro and the European Leagues affiliation filed a criticism with the European Fee, accusing FIFA of overcrowding the soccer calendar. Some prime gamers, together with Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, have hinted at the potential for a strike.

Regardless of issues, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) coach Luis Enrique welcomed the event, calling it an “extraordinarily thrilling competitors” that “everybody needs to play in.”

The 2025 Membership World Cup will characteristic 12 European groups, six from South America and 4 every from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America. Auckland Metropolis and Lionel Messi’s Inter Miami full the lineup. Matches might be held at 12 venues throughout 11 U.S. cities, with the ultimate set for MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, the host of the 2026 FIFA World Cup closing.