As Real Madrid celebrates its 123rd anniversary this Thursday, FIFA has announced good news for Florentino Pérez. Around three months before the start of the Club World Cup, the organisation led by Gianni Infantino guarantees a significant financial boost for the Madrid side.
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has just revealed the prize pool to be shared among the 32 clubs participating in the first-ever 32-team edition of the Club World Cup. Determined to ease clubs’ financial burdens, the global football governing body has announced a total allocation of $1 billion (€929 million) to be distributed among the teams. Beyond the strong relationship between Gianni Infantino and Florentino Pérez, Real Madrid’s impressive performances on the European stage in recent months ensure that they will receive the biggest share of the money even before the competition kicks off.
FIFA’s lucrative offers for Real Madrid
Indeed, of the €145 million that the Madrid club could pocket if they win this major tournament, which will be held in the USA (from 14 June to 13 July 2025), Real Madrid is already set to receive €35 million as a participation bonus. Currently ranked number one in FIFA’s club rankings, Florentino Pérez’s side is already boosting its finances. If Carlo Ancelotti and his players manage to secure three wins in the group stage, an additional €6 million will be added to their earnings.
For the round of 16, all clubs will receive €7 million, while the quarter-finalists will earn €12 million. If Kylian Mbappé and his teammates reach the semi-finals, an extra €20 million will be deposited into Real Madrid’s accounts. As for the final, both competing teams will receive €28 million, with the ultimate winner receiving an additional €37 million, bringing Real Madrid’s potential total earnings to €145 million—making them the highest-earning club if they win the tournament. This enormous sum will undoubtedly serve as a major motivator for the players.
Florentino Pérez places great importance on the tournament
As we reported a few months ago, Real Madrid’s president is determined to win the inaugural 32-team Club World Cup. Beyond the significant financial aspect, Florentino Pérez wants his club to be the first to lift the trophy under this new format. According to reports, the Real Madrid president has already handed Carlo Ancelotti a list of objectives, with a particular emphasis on the Club World Cup.
Should the club fail to win La Liga or the Champions League this season, lifting the 32-team Club World Cup could help salvage their campaign. Notably, FIFA has decided to distribute substantial financial rewards to the participating clubs in response to criticism directed at its leadership. Scheduled just days before the end of the domestic leagues, the tournament offers little respite for players who are already fatigued.
A gesture from FIFA towards non-participating clubs
Beyond the prize money awarded to competing teams, FIFA has also announced the creation of a solidarity fund of at least 15% of the total prize pool, which will be distributed among non-participating clubs via the six continental confederations. This initiative aims to prevent the financial gap between elite and smaller clubs from widening further.
To help clubs prepare for the competition, Gianni Infantino is reportedly considering opening a brief transfer window in the lead-up to the tournament. With the substantial participation bonus that all 32 teams will receive even before the tournament begins, some intriguing transfers could take place. Additionally, FIFA has announced that 65% of the total €929 million—equivalent to €284 million—will be distributed among the 12 European teams: Real Madrid, Manchester City, Chelsea, PSG, Bayern Munich, Porto, Atlético, Juventus, Benfica, Borussia Dortmund, and RB Salzburg.
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