
World football authority FIFA will pay out a cool $1 billion (R18.3 billion) to the clubs that will participate in this year’s FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
Mamelodi Sundowns will represent Africa alongside Al Ahly (Egypt), Rulani Mokwena’s Wydad Casablanca (Morocco), and Espérance (Tunisia), who have Bafana Bafana winger Elias Mokwana in their books.
In a statement, FIFA confirmed it would generate $2 billion in revenues from the expanded Club World Cup, which is made up of 32 teams.
“The FIFA Club World Cup will not only be the pinnacle of club football, but also a vivid demonstration of solidarity that will benefit clubs at large to a scale that no other competition has ever done,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino.
“All revenue generated by the tournament will be distributed to the participating clubs and via club solidarity across the world, as FIFA will not keep a single dollar.”
By comparison, the total prize money for the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar was $440 million (R8 billion).
FIFA did not provide a detailed breakdown of the payout, but with the tournament around the corner (June 14-July 13), it’s likely to do so in the near future.
FIFA has signed sponsorship contracts with Coca-Cola, Bank of America, and Hisense, amongst others.
The women’s Club World Cup edition will take place from 2028.