FIFA will award $1 billion in prize money for the expanded Club World Cup in the U.S., expecting $2 billion in revenue. The tournament faces criticism over player welfare but has gained support from some football figures.

FIFA has announced that it will pay a total prize money of one billion dollars to participants in the Club World Cup, which is set to take place in the United States later this year. This figure is significantly higher than the prize money offered for both the last men's and women's World Cups, making it the most lucrative tournament in club football history.

World football's governing body has not provided extensive details on the funding of the first edition of this expanded 32-team tournament, which will be held every four years. However, in recent weeks, FIFA has secured a broadcaster and major sponsors to support the event.

In a statement on Wednesday confirming the prize money on offer, FIFA said it expects to generate $2 billion in revenues from the tournament. Additionally, it announced that a women's edition of the Club World Cup will take place from 2028, further expanding its global club football competitions.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the significance of the tournament, stating, "The FIFA Club World Cup will not only be the pinnacle of club football, but also a vivid demonstration of solidarity that will benefit clubs at large to a scale that no other competition has ever done. All revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs and via club solidarity across the world, as FIFA will not keep a single dollar."

By comparison, the total prize money for the 2022 Men's World Cup in Qatar was $440 million, while the 2023 Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia offered $110 million in total prize money. This stark contrast highlights the financial investment FIFA is making in the new Club World Cup format.

Despite the excitement surrounding the expanded tournament, FIFA’s decision has faced criticism, especially from European football circles. The competition will coincide with a congested football calendar, raising concerns over player welfare and fixture overload. The global footballers' union FIFPro and the European Leagues association have previously filed a complaint with the European Commission, accusing FIFA of abusing its dominant position by expanding the schedule without proper consultation.

UEFA has also revamped the Champions League this season, increasing the number of teams to 36 and boosting total prize money to 2.47 billion euros ($2.66 billion). With both FIFA and UEFA introducing expanded competitions, players and clubs have voiced concerns about the increasing strain on footballers.

Ballon d’Or winner Rodri and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk are among those who have raised the possibility of a player strike to protest fixture congestion. "I think we are close to that. I think if you ask any player, he will say the same," Rodri said in September, 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."

Despite the opposition, some figures in football have welcomed the tournament. Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique expressed enthusiasm, stating, "Once every four years, there's this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup."

The competition will feature 12 teams from Europe, six from South America, and four each from Asia, Africa, and North and Central America. Matches will be played in 12 venues across 11 cities in the United States, with the final set to take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. This venue will also host the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, reinforcing its status as a premier destination for major football events.