The United States men's national team (USMNT) will share half of its 2026 FIFA World Cup prize money with the country's women's national team (USWNT), even though the women's team did not qualify for the tournament. This arrangement stems from a historic collective bargaining agreement (CBA) signed in 2022, which mandates equal sharing of FIFA World Cup prize money between both national sides.
How the Prize Money Distribution Works
FIFA awarded the USMNT $16 million for reaching the Round of 16, where the co-hosts were eliminated after a 4-1 defeat to Belgium. However, the players will not receive the full amount. Under the CBA, U.S. Soccer first retains 20% of the prize money, totaling $3.2 million. The remaining $12.8 million is then split equally between the USMNT and the USWNT, according to the New York Times.
As a result, each member of the women's national team is expected to receive approximately $246,153, despite not competing in the men's World Cup. The arrangement is reciprocal: when the FIFA Women's World Cup takes place in 2027, the USMNT will also be entitled to an equal share of the prize money earned by the women's team, as reported by Front Office Sports.
Timeline for Payments
The USWNT's portion of the 2026 prize fund will be placed in an interest-bearing account and will not be distributed until after the conclusion of the 2027 Women's World Cup. This ensures that both teams benefit from the revenue-sharing model over the long term.
Landmark Agreement Promotes Equal Rewards
The revenue-sharing model is considered one of the most significant agreements in international football, ensuring that both national teams benefit equally from FIFA prize money regardless of which tournament generates the earnings. Supporters of the deal believe it reflects U.S. Soccer's commitment to equal pay, while critics argue it reduces the financial reward earned on the pitch by the competing team.
Trump Weighs in on Balogun Controversy
In related news, Legit.ng previously reported that U.S. President Donald Trump revealed he asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino to review the red card shown to USMNT striker Folarin Balogun during the World Cup. Trump insisted Balogun "didn't do anything wrong" and questioned the referee's decision, describing the incident as two players colliding at full speed while suggesting the official's previous record should be examined.
