Manchester City Tops FIFA Payouts for World Cup Players, Boreham Wood Also Benefits
Manchester City, the English Premier League champions, earned the highest amount from FIFA for releasing their players to participate in the World Cup. However, even lower-league club Boreham Wood received a share of the cash. FIFA paid out a total of £160 million to 440 different clubs worldwide for releasing their players for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
English clubs received a total of £29 million in compensation, more than any other country. Manchester City topped the table worldwide, earning £3.5 million. While this payment may not make a significant impact on City’s finances, it can make a huge difference for clubs further down the pyramid, such as Boreham Wood.
Boreham Wood, a non-league side, did not have any current players participating in the World Cup. However, FIFA rewards teams that played a role in the development of players during the qualification period. As a result, Boreham Wood received £24,000 in FIFA payments. This unexpected windfall can provide a significant boost to the club’s finances.
The club benefited from the sale of Wales international Sorba Thomas to Championship side Huddersfield Town in January 2021. Huddersfield earned £118,000 for Thomas’ role at the World Cup, despite his limited playing time. Thomas only featured late on in Wales’ 1-1 draw against the USA, coming on as an injury-time replacement for Fulham winger Harry Wilson.
The FIFA payments are calculated based on the number of days each player spent at the World Cup. Clubs earn just over £9,000 for each day their player participates in the tournament. This system ensures that clubs are compensated for their contribution to the success of the World Cup.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the total compensation figure will almost double to £304 million for the 2026 and 2030 editions of the World Cup. Infantino emphasized that the FIFA Club Benefits Programme recognizes the contribution that clubs make to the success of the tournament. This initiative ensures that FIFA redistributes a portion of the revenues from the competition to the clubs.
After Manchester City, the top English earners were Manchester United, who received £2.5 million, and Chelsea, who earned £2.4 million. These payments highlight the financial impact of international tournaments on clubs and demonstrate FIFA’s commitment to supporting clubs that release their players for national team duty.
The FIFA payouts provide crucial financial support to clubs, especially those lower down the football pyramid. For clubs like Boreham Wood, this unexpected income can be used to invest in infrastructure, player development, and other areas that contribute to the long-term sustainability of the club.
Looking ahead, the increased compensation for future World Cups will further benefit clubs around the world. The additional funds will enable clubs to continue developing young talent and contribute to the growth of the sport at all levels.
In conclusion, FIFA’s payouts to clubs for releasing players for the World Cup have provided a significant financial boost to clubs worldwide. While Manchester City earned the highest amount, lower-league club Boreham Wood also benefited from FIFA’s compensation scheme. These payments highlight FIFA’s commitment to supporting clubs and recognizing their contribution to the success of international tournaments. As FIFA increases the compensation for future World Cups, clubs can expect even greater financial support in the years to come.