African teams earn more than $153m from expanded FIFA World Cup as Morocco tops continent’s prize list

African nations collectively earned more than $153 million in prize money from their participation at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Morocco emerging as the continent’s biggest financial beneficiary following another impressive run to the quarter-finals.

The expanded 48-team tournament proved financially rewarding for Africa’s representatives, with nine nations progressing to the Round of 32 and two reaching the quarter-finals.

Morocco led the way after pocketing $31.5 million thanks to their quarter-final finish, building on the momentum from their historic semi-final appearance at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Egypt also enjoyed a lucrative campaign, collecting $17.5 million after reaching the last eight before bowing out of the competition.

Seven other African nations each received $13.5 million after advancing to the Round of 32. They include Senegal, Algeria, DR Congo, Cape Verde, Ivory Coast, South Africa and Ghana, all of whom progressed beyond the group stage before seeing their campaigns come to an end in the first knockout round.

Ghana’s qualification for the knockout stage marked a return to the latter stages of the World Cup after missing out on advancing from the group phase in Qatar four years earlier. The Black Stars’ Round of 32 appearance secured the Ghana Football Association a prize purse of $13.5 million.

South Africa also made a notable return to the global stage, matching Ghana’s earnings after reaching the knockout phase, while debutants Cape Verde impressed by advancing beyond the group stage in their maiden World Cup appearance.

Senegal and Algeria continued their strong presence on the African football scene by progressing into the knockout rounds, while DR Congo and Ivory Coast also secured places among the tournament’s last 32 teams.

Tunisia were the only African side to exit at the group stage, receiving $10.5 million in prize money despite failing to advance to the knockout rounds.

The financial rewards underline the benefits of FIFA’s expanded World Cup format, which increased both the number of participating teams and the overall prize fund. The additional revenue is expected to provide a significant boost to football development programmes, infrastructure projects and national team preparations across the continent.

African teams’ FIFA World Cup prize money