FIFA has outlined a significantly expanded compensation scheme for clubs ahead of the 2026 World Cup, with a record fund of $355m set aside to reward teams that release players for international duty.
The initiative is expected to benefit clubs across the globe, including several leading sides in Morocco.
In an official letter sent to national football federations just days before the start of the tournament, world football’s governing body provided fresh details about its Club Benefits Programme. The scheme is intended to compensate clubs that allow their players to join national teams for World Cup-related matches.
Among the clubs expected to gain from the programme are Moroccan sides Raja Club Athletic, AS FAR and RS Berkane, whose players have featured for the national team during the qualification campaign and the finals.
According to the information released, payments will be calculated using a combination of factors, including the number of matches in which players participate and the amount of time they spend with their national teams.
The programme forms part of a renewed agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association and represents a substantial increase in funding compared with the previous World Cup cycle. FIFA has allocated a total of $355m for the initiative, an increase of around 70% from the amount distributed after the 2022 tournament.
Of that total, approximately $100m has been reserved for clubs that released players during the World Cup qualification process. Payments in this category will be made on a per-player, per-match basis.
With 905 qualification matches having been played, FIFA estimates that clubs could receive around $2,360 for every player appearance in a qualifying match.
A further $250m has been earmarked for clubs whose players take part in the World Cup finals. These payments will be calculated according to the length of time players remain involved with their national teams during the tournament.
The minimum expected return for clubs in the finals phase is approximately $5,000 per player per day. However, FIFA said final figures will only be confirmed once the competition has concluded.
For Moroccan football, the scheme could provide a notable financial boost. Clubs such as RS Berkane, AS FAR and Raja Club Athletic are expected to receive compensation for releasing players to represent Morocco, reflecting their contribution to the national team’s World Cup campaign.
FIFA has also indicated that the remaining $5m from the overall fund will be retained to cover administrative expenses linked to the programme. Any balance left after those costs have been met will be directed towards football development initiatives around the world.
The expanded programme marks the first time that clubs will be rewarded not only for players involved in the World Cup finals but also for those who participated during the qualification process, widening the number of clubs eligible to benefit from the tournament’s revenues.
