FIFA to pay Manchester United $2.6m

FIFA are set to hand Manchester United a financial boost following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, adding another welcome sum to the club’s growing income this summer.

The Reds have already benefited from Mason Greenwood’s move from Marseille to Fenerbahce, with a sell-on clause earning the club more than £10 million.

That money has helped support Michael Carrick’s rebuild, with Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans already arriving at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils also secured the signings of Tynan Thompson from Tottenham Hotspur and Karl Darlow as a free agent.

United remain in the market for a third midfielder as preparations continue for the 2026/27 campaign.

Now, another payment is on its way.

According to The Athletic, Manchester United are expected to receive approximately $2.6 million through FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme.

The programme rewards clubs that release players for international duty during the World Cup.

FIFA has increased the overall fund to a record $355 million for the 2026 tournament.

Of that figure, $250 million is allocated based on player participation at the finals, while another $100 million is reserved for World Cup qualifiers.

The Athletic’s calculations estimate United’s payment from the finals pot at around $2.6 million, although FIFA will not confirm the official figures until its review process has been completed later this year.

Payments are calculated using the number of days each player spends at the tournament after being released by their club.

The longer a nation remains in the competition, the larger the payment received by the player’s club.

Manchester City are projected to receive the highest payout of any club, with an estimated $4.4 million after several players reached the closing stages of the competition.

While the payment represents only a small fraction of United’s overall finances, every additional source of revenue strengthens the club’s position as Carrick and INEOS continue reshaping the squad ahead of the new season.