France guaranteed at least $27 million after World Cup semifinal loss

France is out of World Cup title contention after a 2-0 semifinal defeat to Spain, but the team is still assured a large FIFA payout. Fortune reported that France will receive at least $27 million from the tournament and could earn $29 million if it wins the third-place match.

The result leaves France with one match remaining. Fortune reported that France will face the loser of the England-Argentina semifinal for third place, a game that will decide whether it finishes third or fourth.

FIFA’s prize structure gives $27 million to the fourth-place team and $29 million to the third-place team, according to the governing body’s published World Cup financial contribution plan. Fortune reported that France’s semifinal defeat marks its lowest World Cup finish since 2014.

Kylian Mbappé, France’s 27-year-old striker, is not expected to keep his personal share of the national-team payout. Riviera Radio reported that Mbappé is set to donate his France bonuses to charity, continuing a practice tied to his international earnings.

CNBC reported in 2018 that Mbappé donated the roughly $500,000 he received after France won the World Cup that year. Fortune reported that Mbappé has donated his national-team match fees and bonuses since 2018.

Mbappé also directs 30% of his earnings to his IBKM Foundation, according to Fortune. The foundation supports young people through education and career opportunities, Fortune reported.

Forbes estimated that Mbappé will earn about $90 million this year from his Real Madrid contract, sponsorships and endorsement agreements. Fortune reported that those commercial arrangements include Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

FIFA sets record World Cup payout

FIFA says it will distribute $871 million to the 48 teams in the 2026 World Cup, the largest prize fund in the tournament’s history. Each team receives money for taking part, with additional payments based on its final finish.

According to FIFA, every qualified team is guaranteed $12.5 million before performance-based prize money: $2.5 million for preparation costs and $10 million for qualifying. Fortune reported that both baseline payments are $1 million higher than previous editions, with reports linking the increase to travel and logistics costs across the three host countries: the United States, Canada and Mexico.

FIFA lists the 2026 World Cup prize payments as follows:

• Champion: $50 million
• Runner-up: $33 million
• Third place: $29 million
• Fourth place: $27 million
• Fifth to eighth place: $19 million
• Ninth to 16th place: $15 million
• 17th to 32nd place: $11 million
• 33rd to 48th place: $9 million

Those amounts mean France’s final match still carries a $2 million difference for its federation. For Mbappé, according to the reports cited by Fortune, the personal payout is expected to end up with charitable causes rather than in his own account.

This story draws on original reporting from Fortune.