Winning the FIFA World Cup comes with glory, silverware, and a record-breaking payday—but for Spain, the celebrations may come with an unexpected tax bill.
After defeating Argentina 1-0 in the 2026 World Cup final, Spain secured FIFA’s historic $50 million championship prize. However, because the tournament was co-hosted by the United States, a significant portion of that money could end up in the hands of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Under U.S. tax law, income earned on American soil is generally taxable, regardless of where the recipient is from. Since many World Cup matches—including the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey—were played in the United States, experts say the prize money, player bonuses, endorsement earnings, and appearance fees may all be subject to federal taxes. On top of that, players and staff could also face state-level “jock taxes,” adding another layer of complexity.
The situation is even more complicated because FIFA pays the prize money directly to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF), which then decides how much is distributed to players, coaches, and staff. Reports indicate that roughly 45% of the prize fund—about $22.5 million—is earmarked for player bonuses, though the final amount each player receives will depend on taxes and the federation’s distribution plan.
Spain may have lifted football’s most coveted trophy, but when the financial dust settles, the IRS could emerge as one of the tournament’s biggest winners.
