FIFA’s $1B Investment as Club World Cup Deal Nears

As the European Club Association (ECA), negotiating on behalf of clubs across Europe including Chelsea and Manchester City, draws in on a deal, FIFA is poised to award more than $1 billion in prize money to teams competing in the Club World Cup.

Several sources have verified to BBC Sport that the 32 clubs engaged—including 12 European clubs—will divide what is expected to be the largest reward in club football over a seven-match schedule.

It is partially derived from the $1 billion exclusive worldwide TV contract signed in December with sports streaming service DAZN.

Starting on June 14 and concluding with the final in New Jersey on July 13, the first tournament is being held in the United States.

Individual clubs will pay participation fees for members who reach the group stage as well as performance fees depending on advancement to later rounds.

According to several top sources, FIFA and the ECA are also in negotiations over large solidarity payments for non-participating teams, which is expected to be followed by comparable payouts for clubs in Africa, Asia, and the Americas at a later date.

“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 no other competition has ever done,” said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

“Since FIFA will not retain a single dollar, all income earned by the event will be given to the participating teams and via club solidarity all around. The reserves of FIFA, meant for worldwide football development, will stay unaltered.”

About the negotiations, the ECA is not yet publically commenting.