FIFA Club World Cup: R18 billion prize money awaits participants

FIFA will pay total prize money of R18 billion to participants in the Club World Cup taking place in the United States this year, a source close to negotiations told AFP on Wednesday.

The figure is significantly more than the prize money offered for either the last men's or women's World Cups.

World football's governing body has given few details about the funding of the first edition of the 32-team tournament that will take place every four years but it has signed up a broadcaster and major sponsors in recent weeks.

British streaming service DAZN was awarded the exclusive global rights to the June 14-July 13 tournament in December with a source close to the negotiations saying the contract was worth around one billion euros ($1.05 billion).

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FIFA has also signed sponsorship contracts with Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chinese electronics brand Hisense and Belgian brewers AB InBev.

By comparison, the total prize money for the 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar was $440 million, while for the 2023 Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, it was $110 million.

This season's UEFA Champions League, with a new 36-club format, will pay a total 2.47 billion euros ($2.66 billion) to the clubs involved.

FIFA's expansion of the tournament has been met by widespread criticism, especially in Europe, largely due to concerns over player welfare.

The global footballers' union FIFPro and the European Leagues association filed a complaint with the European Commission in October against FIFA, accused of abusing its dominant position by packing the calendar.

The Champions League was also expanded by UEFA this season and some players, including Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, have raised the prospect of a strike.

"I think we are close to that. I think if you ask any player he will say the same," said Rodri when asked in September if there was a possibility of players going on strike, shortly before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

"It is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. I think it's the general opinion of the players."

The tournament will feature 12 teams from Europe, six from South America and four each from Asia, Africa and North and Central America.

Auckland City and Lionel Messi's Inter Miami complete the line-up.

Not all the reaction has been negative, with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisting "everyone" would want to play.

"Once every four years there's this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup," he said last year.

The tournament will be held at 12 venues across 11 cities in the United States, with the final at the MetLife Stadium, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final, in New Jersey.

AFP