European countries fear playing in World Cup will mean financial loss

"Although Fifa approved record prize money of 539m for the tournament last December it may not be enough to prevent losses, or reduced profits, for competitors who would usually expect a World Cup to generate vital funds. An investigation by the Guardian and PA Media found particular concerns among football associations about the consequences of missing out on money that would largely be reinvested in local initiatives."

"The previous daily allowance of $850 (627) per delegation member has been reduced to $600 (442). One FA estimated that this would mean receiving around $500,000 (369,000) less if their team remained at the World Cup, which has been expanded in length and number, for a month."

"One particularly aggravating element is a perceived unfairness around tax arrangements. Countries bidding for a World Cup are obliged to provide tax exemptions for FAs that qualify; those have been agreed with Canada and Mexico but no such arrangement has been reached with the US."

European football federations face potential financial losses at the 2026 World Cup despite FIFA approving record prize money of $539 million. While teams receive $9 million in participation fees and $1.5 million in preparation costs, the daily allowance per delegation member has been reduced from $850 to $600, resulting in losses of approximately $500,000 for teams competing for a month. Around 10 football associations have expressed concerns about reduced profits compared to previous tournaments, particularly regarding funds typically reinvested in local initiatives. Additional complications arise from inconsistent tax exemptions across host nations, with arrangements agreed in Canada and Mexico but not in the United States, creating unfair conditions for participating federations.

Read at www.theguardian.com