Al Ain and Saudi clubs to get share of $1 billion Club World Cup prize money

Prize pot for Fifa’s new 32-team tournament is significantly more than that offered for either the last men’s or women’s World Cups

Al Ain celebrate winning the 2023/24 AFC Champions League following their second leg final win over Yokohama F Marinos at Hazza bin Zayed Stadium, Al Ain. Chris Whiteoak / The National

The UAE's Al Ain are set to receive a share of a $1 billion prize fund for competing in this summer’s Club World Cup.

Fifa announced on Wednesday it will pay the total prize money to each of the 32 teams competing in the revamped tournament to be held in the United States.

The figure is significantly more than the prize money offered for either the last men's or women's World Cups.

As winners of the 2023/24 AFC Champions League, Al Ain won automatic qualification to the tournament. They were paired with English Premier League champions Manchester City, Wydad of Morocco and Italian giants Juventus in December's draw. The Garden City club's first Group G match is against City on June 22 in Atlanta, Georgia.

Asia's three other representatives are Saudi champions Al Hilal, Urawa Red Diamonds of Japan and South Korea's Ulsan. Egyptian giants and African champions Al Ahly will open the tournament on June 15 against Lionel Messi's Inter Miami. Tunisia's ES Tunis and Morocco's Wydad will also take part.

World football's governing body has given few details about the funding of the first edition of the 32-team tournament that will take place every four years. But it has signed up a broadcaster and major sponsors in recent weeks.

In a statement confirming the prize money on offer, Fifa said it expected to generate $2 billion in revenues from the expanded Club World Cup. It also confirmed that a women's edition will take place from 2028.

"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 that no other competition has ever done," said Fifa president Gianni Infantino.

It is not yet clear how much clubs will receive for their participation but it will be a significant windfall. Previous reports have suggested figures in the region of $40m minimum, with possibly up to twice that for winning the tournament.

As well as committing $1bn for the teams participating, Fifa is understood to be setting aside an additional $100m for solidarity payments to clubs who have not qualified.

"All revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs and via club solidarity across the world as Fifa will not keep a single dollar," Infantino added.

"Fifa's reserves, which are there for global football development, will remain untouched.”

Fifa Club World Cup trophy in UAE

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British streaming service DAZN was awarded the exclusive global rights to the June 14-July 13 tournament in December with a source close to the negotiations saying the contract was worth around $1.05bn.

Fifa has also signed sponsorship contracts with Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Chinese electronics brand Hisense and Belgian brewers AB InBev.

By comparison the total prize money for the 2022 men's World Cup in Qatar was $440m, while for the 2023 Women's World Cup in New Zealand and Australia it was $110m.

This season's Uefa Champions League, with a new 36-club format, will pay a total €2.47bn to the clubs involved.

Player welfare

Fifa's expansion of the tournament has been met by widespread criticism, especially in Europe, largely due to concerns over player welfare.

The global footballers' union FIFPro and the European Leagues association filed a complaint with the European Commission in October against Fifa, accused of abusing its dominant position by packing the calendar.

The Champions League was also expanded by European governing body Uefa this season and some players, including Ballon d'Or winner Rodri and Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk, have raised the prospect of a strike.

"I think we are close to that. I think if you ask any player he will say the same," said Rodri when asked in September if there was a possibility of players going on strike, shortly before suffering a season-ending knee injury.

"It is not the opinion of Rodri or whatever. I think it's the general opinion of the players."

President Sheikh Mohamed stands for a photograph with members of Al Ain Football Club, after their Asian Champions League win, at Al Bahr Palace in Abu Dhabi. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed stands for a photograph with members of Al Ain Football Club and their trophy. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed congratulated the players, the team’s coach, administrative and technical staff on their win. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed talks to Al Ain coach Hernan Crespo. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed greets Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, First Vice President of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club, First Vice President of the Honorary Council, and chairman of the board of directors of the club. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed and Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan, deputy chairman of the board of directors of Al Ain Sports and Cultural Club and chairman of the executive management committee of Al Ain Football Club Company. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Mohamed receives Al Ain Football Club, who beat Yokohama F Marinos of Japan 5-1 in May. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed greets the team's coach. Abdulla Al Bedwawi / UAE Presidential Court

Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed, Chairman of the Office of Development and Martyrs' Families Affairs at the Presidential Court, right, greets a guest during the reception for Al Ain Football Club. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Trophies on show at the reception for Al Ain Football Club. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Members of Al Ain football club arrive at Al Bahr Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

Al Ain coach Hernan Crespo and team members arrive at Al Bahr Palace. Mohamed Al Hammadi / UAE Presidential Court

The tournament will feature 12 teams from Europe, six from South America and four each from Asia, Africa and North and Central America.

Auckland City and Inter Miami complete the line-up.

Not all the reaction has been negative, with Paris Saint-Germain coach Luis Enrique insisting "everyone" would want to play.

"Once every four years there's this new, extremely exciting competition. Everyone wants to go to the Club World Cup," he said last year.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has even suggested that he could prioritise it over the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, which begins on the weekend of August 16-17.

City failed with a request to have their opening league fixture postponed to allow players a longer summer break after the Club World Cup.

Asked last month if he might rest his players for the tournament, Guardiola said: “No, I don’t think so. It is important for the club, financially and for the prestige.”

The tournament will be held at 12 venues across 11 cities in the United States, with the final at the MetLife Stadium, which will also host the 2026 World Cup final, in New Jersey.