FIFA World Cup 2026: The Spanish team that won the FIFA World Cup has received a bumper prize of $50 million (about Rs 481 crore), but now America also has a share in this amount.
FIFA World Cup: Trump eyes Spain's prize money
Spain FIFA World Cup prize money: Spain won the FIFA World Cup title by defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup last Sunday.
The Spanish team also received a prize money of $50 million (approximately Rs 481 crore), the largest sum ever awarded to a winning team in the history of the men's World Cup. This amount is even more than the $8 million awarded to Argentina in 2022.
Spain will not receive the full amount
It's being reported that Spain won't receive the full amount because the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will collect a portion of it as tax. As we all know, the United States also hosted the World Cup this year.
According to US tax law, earnings or prize money earned within US borders must be taxed, even if the team or player is from another country. Experts say that no matter which country wins the World Cup, the IRS will still tax earnings earned in the US. In addition to federal taxes, players will also have to pay provincial taxes in states like New Jersey, where the final was played.
There is a plan to collect tax from them too
It is also being reported that the IRS may collect taxes not only from players, but also from coaches, team staff, and referees who earned significant amounts of money during the tournament in the United States. This year, the World Cup had a total prize fund of $655 million, which was divided among the 48 participating national teams based on their performance.
In addition to prize money, many players also earn additional money from sponsorships, endorsement deals, paid appearances, and other commercial activities related to the World Cup. This additional income may also be subject to tax, depending on where the money is earned. Tax experts say the World Cup is one of the most tax-sensitive sports events.
Let us tell you that in the last World Cup, countries like Qatar and Brazil had given tax exemption to FIFA, but America is not in the mood to keep the earnings of the players out of the tax purview like them.
