Here's Exactly How Much USMNT Players Will Earn at the 2026 World Cup

FIFA's reputation for generating enormous revenue has dominated recent discussions, particularly with the organization's record-breaking ticket prices for the 2026 World Cup. That said, soccer's global governing body also has to distribute funds, including a substantial amount to each of the 48 participating nations.

This means certain players stand to receive a significant financial windfall.

In late April, FIFA boosted its financial payouts for the tournament, allocating each federation $12.5 million. This includes $10 million for qualifying—up from the originally promised $9 million—and $2.5 million for preparation costs, up from the previous $1.5 million.

Beyond that guaranteed base payment, each team also earns performance-based bonuses. The World Cup winners receive an additional $50 million, while the runners-up collect $33 million. The payouts decrease progressively from there, though even teams knocked out in the group stage still receive a consolation sum of $9 million, according to USA Today.

FIFA distributes funds directly to each federation, which then determines how much of that money reaches its players. U.S. Soccer reached groundbreaking collective bargaining agreements with both the men's and women's national teams in 2022, equalizing pay for the first time in history. The CBAs, valid through 2028, made USSF the first national soccer body to guarantee equal compensation for both genders, including prize money from this summer's men's FIFA World Cup.

The U.S. Soccer players' unions agreed to pool World Cup prize money from both the men's and women's tournaments (2026 and 2027). The federation retains 20% of that total, while the remaining 80% is divided equally among 52 players—26 men and 26 women.

As a result, USMNT players competing at the 2026 World Cup will share their prize earnings with the USWNT. The same arrangement applies at the 2027 Women's World Cup, where USWNT players will share their winnings with the USMNT.

Based on this compensation structure, here's a breakdown of how much each USMNT player could potentially earn this summer at the 2026 World Cup.

How Much Each USMNT Player Could Earn This Summer

Assuming the CBA's definition of "World Cup prize money" encompasses the guaranteed $12.5 million base payment along with any performance-based earnings the USMNT accumulates this year, players from both the USMNT and USWNT are in line for a handsome payday—particularly if the USMNT makes a deep run in the home tournament.

Even in the unlikely scenario that the USMNT exits in the group stage—made even less probable by the tournament's expanded format and the commanding 4–1 opening victory over Paraguay—U.S. Soccer players would collectively take home $21.5 million, combining the $12.5 million guaranteed payment with the $9 million group stage consolation prize.

After that, 80% of the total is split evenly across both squads, meaning each of the 52 players would pocket approximately $330,500.

Should the Americans advance but fall in the round of 32—a result most would view as a disappointment—each player would earn around $361,500. A round of 16 exit—historically the most frequent stopping point for the USMNT—would yield roughly $423,000 per player.

A quarterfinal run, something the team has accomplished only once in the modern World Cup era, would put approximately $484,500 in each player's pocket.

And if the Americans pull off the ultimate upset and lift the trophy on July 19, each player would earn close to a staggering $1 million—as though winning the world's biggest prize weren't motivation enough.

Under the CBA terms, each USMNT player named to the roster for a World Cup match also receives $10,000 per appearance, adding up to $30,000 simply for being on the roster throughout the group stage this summer.

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Both USMNT and USWNT players will also share a portion of U.S. Soccer's revenue from World Cup merchandise and sponsorship deals—another unprecedented agreement. If the federation's revenue falls between $55 and $75 million, players collectively receive 10%. That figure rises to 15% if revenue surpasses $75 million, with the percentage divided equally between the men's and women's rosters.

For many players on the USMNT roster, this represents transformative earnings. Midfielder Sebastian Berhalter, for instance, earns $480,000 annually in guaranteed salary with MLS's Vancouver Whitecaps, per the MLS Players' Association—meaning he could realistically more than double his yearly income. Starting goalkeeper Matt Freese earns $795,833 in guaranteed compensation with MLS club New York City FC.