Morocco have secured a minimum of $31.5m (£23m) in FIFA prize money after reaching the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, adding a significant financial reward to what has already become another landmark campaign for African football.
The Atlas Lions booked their place in the last eight with a convincing 3-0 victory over co-hosts Canada in Houston, where Azzedine Ounahi scored twice before Soufiane Rahimi added a late third goal to seal the win.
The result ensured Morocco reached the World Cup quarter-finals for a second successive tournament, reinforcing their status as one of Africa’s leading football nations while guaranteeing a substantial share of FIFA’s record prize fund.
FIFA has approved a record $871m distribution for participating teams at the expanded 2026 World Cup, the largest financial package in the competition’s history.
Under the governing body’s payment structure, every qualified nation receives $10m in qualification funding, while a further $2.5m is allocated to help cover tournament preparation costs.
Teams that finish between fifth and eighth place are awarded $19m in performance prize money.
By reaching the quarter-finals, Morocco have already secured that amount, taking their guaranteed earnings to $31.5m when the qualification and preparation payments are included.
The financial reward reflects Morocco’s outstanding progress at the tournament, where they have continued to build on the momentum established during their memorable run to the semi-finals at the previous World Cup.
Their latest victory over Canada extended another impressive campaign, with the North Africans producing a dominant second-half display after a tightly contested opening period.
Ounahi’s brace proved decisive before Rahimi completed the scoring, sending Morocco into another World Cup quarter-final and keeping alive hopes of an even deeper run in North America.
The Atlas Lions are now within touching distance of even greater financial rewards.
Should Morocco finish fourth, they would receive $27m in performance prize money, taking their overall earnings to $39.5m once qualification and preparation payments are included.
A third-place finish would increase the performance reward to $29m, bringing the overall total to $41.5m.
If Morocco reach the final but finish as runners-up, they would collect $33m in performance payments and total earnings of $45.5m.
Winning the World Cup would deliver the biggest financial prize. FIFA has allocated $50m in performance money to the champions, meaning Morocco could earn a combined $62.5m including the fixed qualification and preparation payments.
Standing in Morocco’s way is France, who also advanced to the quarter-finals after defeating Paraguay 1-0.
Kylian Mbappe scored the only goal of that match from the penalty spot, setting up one of the standout ties of the last eight.
The meeting will provide another major examination for coach Mohamed Ouahbi’s side, who have already eliminated the Netherlands and Canada in the knockout rounds.
Regardless of the outcome against France, Morocco have already combined sporting success with significant financial gain.
Their progress has secured a place among the tournament’s final eight and guaranteed one of the largest prize-money payouts ever received by an African team at a FIFA World Cup.
