FIFA Club World Cup confirms $1 billion in total prize money for 32 participating clubs
Sports commentator Usher Komugisha says this has a significant impact on African football clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns.
This year's FIFA Club World Cup trophy. Photo: 947
947's Robert Marawa speaks to sports commentator, Usher Komugisha.
Listen below:
FIFA Club World Cup has confirmed the distribution model for its new club competition that includes $1 billion prize money for the 32 participating clubs, plus a substantial and groundbreaking global solidarity model, with $475 million allocated for performance-based rewards.
The increased prize money comes as part of the Annual Report 2024, unanimously approved by the FIFA Council with a revised budget.
The new budget sets a revenue target of $13 billion for the 2023-2026 cycle, investing nearly 90% back into the game to significantly boost global football development.
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup is responsible for $2 billion of that revenue, setting a new benchmark for global club football, with $1 billion distributed to participating clubs and provision for a solidarity mechanism that will be dedicated to club football across the globe.
Marawa calls this a "staggering... game changing" moment in the world of football.
"Football is a business now more than ever... we have a lot of money on the line in different competitions and increasing money in African football - but now on the global stage, FIFA is stepping up to say look if you are among the world's top 32 clubs, here's something for you to look forward to... what an announcement."
- Usher Komugisha, Sports Commentator
Komugisha says this has a significant impact for African football clubs like Mamelodi Sundowns.
Mamelodi Sundowns could walk away with a whopping R174 million as participation fee at 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.
"Let's look at the numbers... Orlando Pirates beat Sundowns the other weekend in the PSL... if this game had happened in the FIFA Club World Cup this summer, they would bag R36.5 million... if it's three wins at the group stages... R110 million... that's how much money is up for grabs."
- Usher Komugisha, Sports Commentator
The money could buy player transfers, build state-of-the-art stadiums and facilities in their name, invest in grassroot development and producing the next generation of Mamelodi Sundowns players for the next decade, explains Komugisha.
All in all, this announcement is a game-changer.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the conversation.