FIFA: Wearing the national team jersey is a matter of pride for any footballer. In addition to representing the country, international football now involves huge amounts of money. Especially after the announcement of the record prize money for the 2026 World Cup, the question is raised, do footballers get money separately if they play for the country? The answer is, yes. But not a fixed salary like in club football. Footballers receive money through match fees, tournament bonuses and various financial benefits. In addition to FIFA, the respective country's football federations and clubs also play a role.
How do footballers get money if they play for the national team?
Footballers usually do not get any fixed salary when they join the national team camp to play international matches. Each country's football federation sets match fees according to its own rules. That is, footballers can get certain money according to the number of matches they play for the national team. This money is not given directly by FIFA, but by the respective country's football federation. As a result, match fees for players from football powerhouses such as Spain, France or Argentina may be higher. That figure is different for smaller football nations.
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What is England's footballers match fee?
An example of England makes the matter more clear. According to a report by the 'Mirror', England's national team footballers earn around £2,000 per match. This figure is far less than the huge salaries of footballers who play in Europe's top clubs. But when it comes to playing for the national team, the pride of representing the country is more important than the money. England footballers also have a special tradition. They don't take their match fees personally but donate them to charity.
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Footballers donate match fees to charity
Since 2007, England national team footballers have been donating their match fees to the England Football Foundation. Later that money is used for the work of various charities. Not only in England, but also in the case of footballers of other countries, there is such a precedent. France's Kylian Mbappe also donated his match fee to charity during the 2018 World Cup. That is, the money received for playing for the national team does not always add up to the personal earnings of footballers.
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Tournaments like World Cup and Euros increase the earning potential
The prize money in major international competitions increases considerably. The total prize money for the 2026 World Cup was set at $871 million, almost 65 percent higher than the $528 million for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Each country received $25 million to participate in the competition. The qualifying bonus for making it to the main stage was one million dollars. Then the cash prizes increase as you advance to the knockout stages and further in the competition.