After years of anticipation, the wait is almost over. The 23rd edition of the FIFA World Cup is set to kick off at 12:30 am IST on Friday. The opening match will see co-host nation Mexico take on South Africa, while the final is scheduled for July 19.
Hosted jointly by the United States, Mexico, and Canada, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the largest edition of the tournament ever staged. The biggest change is the expansion of the competition from 32 to 48 teams, bringing more nations and more matches to the global showpiece.
This marks the first increase in the number of participating teams since the 1998 World Cup. With matches spread across three countries, the tournament is expected to set new benchmarks in terms of scale, fan engagement, and commercial success.
FIFA has also set a new record for prize money. Even teams eliminated from the tournament will receive financial rewards. The total prize pool for the FIFA World Cup has increased by 50 percent compared to the previous edition, reaching USD 655 million (approximately Rs 5,469 crore). FIFA has allocated a total of USD 727 million for the 2026 World Cup. Out of this, USD 655 million will be distributed among the 48 participating teams.
FIFA World Cup 2026 prize money
The World Cup winners will receive USD 50 million (approximately Rs 417 crore).
In addition, every team that qualifies for the tournament will receive USD 1.5 million to cover participation and preparation expenses.
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