Newsroom
The countdown to the 2026 World Cup has begun, and with it comes more than just a new format. For clubs around the world, including several in Cyprus, the tournament represents an unprecedented financial opportunity.
FIFA has announced a major expansion of its Club Benefits Programme, which compensates clubs for releasing players to their national teams. The total pool has risen to 355 million dollars, the largest in the history of the competition. The figure marks a 70 percent increase from the 209 million dollars distributed after the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
The expanded scheme also changes who qualifies for payments. For the first time, FIFA will reward clubs not only for players who participate in the final tournament but also for those who took part in the qualifying rounds, even if their teams did not advance. This means that Cypriot clubs whose players represented the national team during qualification will also receive financial compensation.
The initiative reflects FIFA’s stated goal of distributing World Cup revenues more equitably, acknowledging the role of smaller clubs that develop and support international players.
The biggest payments will still flow to clubs whose players appear in the World Cup itself. Among those likely to benefit are Apollon Limassol, with Rodrigues expected to feature for Cape Verde, and Omonia Nicosia, whose defender Semedo is set to represent Cape Verde as well and is currently negotiating a contract extension.
Other Cypriot players may also bring returns to their clubs. AEL’s goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa remains in contention for Mexico’s squad, while Omonia’s Mae (Morocco) and Apollon’s Youssef (Tunisia) are both under consideration for national selection.
Each day a player spends with his national team during the tournament will now generate income for his club. FIFA is expected to release the final formula and detailed breakdown of payments in the coming months.
