France Leads 2026 World Cup Revolt Over Staggering Costs—Report

The most expensive World Cup in history is impacting qualified teams as well as fans across the globe.

Didier Deschamps’s France is joining in on the pricing controversy of the 2026 World Cup. | Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images

France along with several other European teams have reportedly voiced concerns to FIFA president Gianni Infantino over the expensive nature of the 2026 World Cup.

Much has been made about costs surrounding the biggest World Cup in history. Purchasing a ticket and a parking pass to a single game this summer could cost near $1,000 without any other traveling fees included.

Fans have been in an uproar over the exuberant prices, and now teams are starting to join in the discourse. According to The Times, Les Bleus are worried they will actually lose money competing in the United States, Canada and Mexico if they do not make a deep run in the competition.

Spain and England also have concerns over the high costs of the tournament. The European powerhouses have asked UEFA to “lobby” on their behalf to FIFA about the World Cup’s financial burden.

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FIFA’s ‘Response’ Leaves Teams Unconvinced

Gianni Infantino must deal with the concerns of the European powerhouses. | Hector Vivas/FIFA/Getty Images

Such complaints from three of the biggest teams competing at the 2026 World Cup gained Infantino’s attention. The Times report he was made “aware of the strength of feeling” and has promised to address the growing concerns in the lead up to the expanded tournament.

Infantino is working on “possible solutions” alongside the various national federations, but he and the world governing body have “ruled out” taking money from the operational budget and using it to pay each nation’s tax bill in the United States—the real source of concern.

FIFA was only able to negotiate tax exemptions in Canada and Mexico, leaving teams competing predominantly in the U.S. this summer at the mercy of varying tax rates from state to state. France, for example, will be based in Boston, and all three of its group stage matches are unfolding on U.S. soil.

A team like Colombia, meanwhile, will likely have a much-cheaper tournament considering it is based in Guadalajara and playing two of its three group stage matches in Mexico.

FIFA pledged to work with national federations on “navigating tax challenges.” But, with the World Cup swiftly approaching, the governing body is running out of time to try and bring down the cost of the tournament.

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A Breakdown of FIFA’s Prize Money for 2026 World Cup

The winner of this summer’s World Cup walks away with $50 million. | ULISES RUIZ/AFP/Getty Images

Before the tournament even kicks off in June, the 48 competing teams received a $9 million qualifying payment, along with $1.5 million in preparation costs. Yet daily allowances for each delegation member has been cut from $850 to $600, which could mean up to $500,000 less per team.

Then there’s a prize pool, where the total sum awarded to each nation depends on how far it gets in the competition.

Exit Round	Sum
Group Stage	$9 million
Round of 32	$11 million
Round of 16	$15 million
Quaterfinal	$19 million
Fourth Place (Third-Place Playoff Loser)	$27 million
Third Place	$29 million
Runners-Up	$33 million
Winner	$50 million

A deep run guarantees a hefty sum that would likely help qualified teams avoid losing money at the 2026 World Cup. But a shock early exit for a giant like France could see the team not recuperate the funds they must spend to prepare for, attend and compete in the tournament this summer.

“This is going to be the most expensive World Cup ever in terms of costs and there are genuine worries that the money we will receive from FIFA will not cover those costs, especially if we do not make it to the latter part of the tournament,” a European federation official told The Times.

With only 70 days until the World Cup kicks off, the clock is ticking for FIFA and Infantino to find a solution, or else the controversy surrounding the tournament will get even louder.

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