Fifa has increased its payments to clubs for player releases for the next two men’s World Cups to £298.74 million ($355 million).
Clubs received a total of £170.58 million ($209 million) for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The move is a key component of a new Memorandum of Understanding signed by Fifa and the European Clubs’ Association that will last until 2030.
The United States, Canada, and Mexico will host the next men’s World Cup in June and July 2026.
The announcement was made at the ECA general assembly in Budapest by Fifa president Gianni Infantino and Uefa counterpart Aleksander Ceferin.
It ends months of squabbling between the two organizations, which were initially at odds over Infantino’s desire to host a biennial World Cup, which was met with fierce opposition.
In its place, an expanded 32-team Club World Cup featuring 12 European teams has been agreed, with Uefa and ECA backing ensuring its inclusion on the international calendar from 2025, despite opposition from leagues and concerns among player unions.
The concept of a Women’s Club World Cup has also been agreed upon, though the format has yet to be determined.
Furthermore, the ECA has backed Fifa’s proposal for a player welfare taskforce, which the players’ union Fifpro believes is critical.
The new international match calendar will also include a yearly match between the winner of the Champions League and the winner of an intercontinental playoff.
“This is a significant day for the future of football and its long-term stability,” Infantino said. We are delighted to renew and strengthen our partnership with ECA, an important stakeholder representing clubs from across Europe.
