Spain's triumph at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has earned the country not only football's most coveted trophy but also the tournament's biggest financial reward, with the champions set to receive a record $51 million (about Sh6.6 billion).

Spain secured their second World Cup title after defeating Argentina 1-0 in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday, ending a 16-year wait since lifting the trophy in South Africa in 2010.

The victory also places Spain at the top of the financial rewards table in what has become the most lucrative FIFA World Cup in history.

FIFA increased the total prize fund for the expanded 48-team tournament to a record $871 million (about Sh112.4 billion), significantly higher than the $440 million distributed during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

The world football governing body initially announced a prize pool of $727 million before approving a further increase in April by raising both the participation fee and preparation grants to help national federations meet the higher costs associated with the tournament, which was jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada.

Under the revised structure, Spain will receive $51 million for winning the tournament, while runners-up Argentina will earn $34 million (about Sh4.4 billion).

England, who finished third after defeating France in the third-place play-off, will take home $30 million (about Sh3.9 billion), while fourth-placed France will receive $28 million (about Sh3.6 billion).

The four teams eliminated in the quarter-finals will each receive $20 million (about Sh2.6 billion), while nations reaching the Round of 16 will earn $16 million (about Sh2.1 billion) each.

Teams knocked out in the Round of 32 will receive $12 million (about Sh1.5 billion), while the 16 countries eliminated during the group stage will each earn $10 million (about Sh1.3 billion).

Beyond performance-based rewards, every participating nation also received $2.5 million (about Sh323 million) in preparation funding before the tournament to help cover expenses such as training camps, travel and logistical arrangements.

FIFA also provided additional financial support to participating federations through subsidies aimed at easing the costs of accommodation, transport, administration and team delegation expenses.

The increased prize fund reflects the expanded nature of the 2026 World Cup, which featured 48 teams for the first time and required significantly greater travel across the three host nations.

The latest payout represents another significant increase in World Cup prize money over the years.

Argentina earned $42 million for winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after defeating France on penalties, while France received $38 million after lifting the trophy at the 2018 tournament in Russia.

Since FIFA began publicly disclosing World Cup prize money, the winners' reward has grown dramatically from about $2.2 million awarded to Italy after winning the 1982 tournament to the current record $51 million.

The prize money is paid directly to national football federations rather than individual players, with each federation determining how the funds are distributed under its own financial regulations.

Spain's latest victory therefore delivers both sporting glory and a substantial financial boost to the Royal Spanish Football Federation as the country celebrates becoming world champions once again.