World Cup 2026: How Much USMNT Earns After Reaching Knockouts

The US men's soccer team advanced to the Round of 32, guaranteeing at least $13.5 million in FIFA prize money. Here's how it works.

The United States men's national soccer team (USMNT) has reached the Round of 32 — the knockout stage — at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. That achievement just boosted the prize money they're guaranteed to take home.

First, an important point: FIFA does not pay players directly. Instead, it gives money to each country's national soccer organization (called a *federation* — like U.S. Soccer). The federation then decides how to split that money among players, coaches, and staff.

This year's total prize pool is a record $871 million — nearly double the $440 million paid out in 2022. The increase is mainly because the tournament grew from 32 teams to 48 teams.

How the money works:

Every team gets $10 million just for qualifying, plus $2.5 million for preparation.
After that, teams earn more the further they advance.

Here's the payout ladder (total amounts, prep fee included):

Group-stage exit: $12.5 million
Round of 32 exit: $13.5 million
Round of 16 exit: $17.5 million
Quarterfinal exit: $21.5 million
Fourth place: $29.5 million
Third place: $31.5 million
Runner-up: $35.5 million
Champion: $52.5 million

Since the USMNT reached the Round of 32, they are now guaranteed at least $13.5 million — with the chance to earn far more.

The US is special. Thanks to a landmark 2022 *collective bargaining agreement* (a deal between players and their employer over pay and working conditions), U.S. Soccer pools and shares 80% of World Cup prize money between the men's and women's teams. This created one of the most famous equal-pay arrangements in sports history.

Other countries handle it differently. England's players reportedly earn around $2,683 per match — and traditionally donate it to charity. In 2018, French star Kylian Mbappé earned about $500,000 for winning and gave it all to charity.

Bottom line: Reaching the knockout stage isn't just about glory — it brings real money. And for the USMNT, that money is shared more fairly than almost anywhere else in the sport.

This is an AI-generated summary. Read the original article at: https://www.marketwatch.com/story/fifa-world-cup-prize-money-what-each-usmnt-player-stands-to-earn-332f8a96?mod=mw_rss_topstories