Manchester City Named Highest Paid Club in FIFA World Cup Payments
Manchester City have been named the highest paid club in FIFA World Cup payments for the 2018 tournament held in Qatar. The English club received a total of $4.6m (£3.54m) from FIFA’s total of $209m (£160.91m) in payments to clubs. Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Paris St-Germain followed City on the list.
English clubs received more than any other country, with $37.7m (£29m) being distributed to them. European teams accounted for 76% of the overall sum, with a payment of $10,950 (£9,388) per day for each of the 837 players involved in the tournament.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the figure will rise for the 2026 and 2030 editions of the tournament, which will be expanded from 32 to 48 countries. He said: “Following the renewal of the memorandum of understanding with the European Clubs’ Association, the amount redistributed to clubs will further increase from $209m (£160.91m) for the 2018 and 2022 editions to $355m (£304.35m) for the 2026 and 2030 tournaments, recognising yet again the importance of the role played by clubs.”
Overall, 440 clubs received some form of payment, with the actual amount calculated to include player transfers during the qualification phase. Manchester United received the second highest payment after City, with $3.32m (£2.85m), while Chelsea got $3.26m (£2.79m).
In contrast, Wigan were given $19,163 (£16.429), which is understood to be for the presence of Wales striker Kiefer Moore and USA defender Antonee Robinson in the Latics’ squad. Money is paid to the clubs where players were registered during the two-year period leading up to the finals.
Cardiff received $645,000 (£496,000) and Swansea $580,000 (£446,000). while Celtic got $664,000 (£511,000) to top the Scottish list, followed by Rangers with $414,000 (£319,000). Five clubs – including Brazilian side Santos – received the lowest payment, which was $15,513 (£11,940).
Conclusion
Manchester City have been named as the highest paid club in FIFA World Cup payments for 2018, receiving a total of $4.6m (£3.54m). English clubs received more than any other country in payments from FIFA, with a total of $37.7m (£29m). The overall sum distributed to European teams accounted for 76% of the overall sum. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed that the figure will rise for the 2026 and 2030 editions of the tournament. 440 clubs received some form of payment, with Manchester United receiving the second highest payment after City. Wigan were given $19,163 (£16.429), while Cardiff received $645,000 (£496,000) and Swansea $580,000 (£446,000). Five clubs – including Brazilian side Santos – received the lowest payment, which was $15,513 (£11,940).