La Jornada: The national team secures 16.5 million dollars for reaching the round of 16

The 2026 Soccer World Cup, which is hosted by Mexico, Canada and the United States, is not only the one with the most participants in its history, it is also the edition in which the most money will be distributed in prizes, since there are 655 million dollars to distribute to each participant, depending on the round in which they finish, and Mexico has managed to add 16.5 million dollars thanks to its pass to the round of 16, a figure that could increase.

On December 17, 2025, Gianni Infantino, president of FIFA, announced that each team would receive $1.5 million to cover expenses derived from preparations. The prize awarded to those eliminated in the group stage (such as Uruguay, Türkiye or South Korea) is 9 million.

The teams classified for the round of 32 obtained 11 million dollars, and together with the prize for being in the tournament, they accumulated 12.5 million. Germany, the Netherlands and Ecuador fell in this phase.

Mexico has already secured 15 million dollars from the round of 16, so it totals 16.5 million. They won 5 million more than in Qatar, where they stayed in the group stage.

If the Mexican team manages to beat England to advance to the quarterfinals, it would be securing 19 million dollars, which with the initial prize would total 20.5 million.

The teams that manage to advance to the semifinals no longer guarantee a specific amount and will depend on the position in which they finish, since fourth place will pocket 27 million dollars, third place will win 29 million and the runner-up will return home with 33 million. The champion will benefit the most, with a prize of 50 million, in addition to the previous 1.5 million to cover derived expenses.