Aston Villa are poised to receive a significant portion of FIFA's $355 million (£263 million) Club Benefits Programme, thanks to nine players participating in this summer's World Cup. The tournament, hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, sees Villa well-represented with three players in England's squad: Ollie Watkins, Morgan Rogers, and Ezri Konsa. Additionally, six other players are representing their nations, including Amadou Onana and Youri Tielemans (Belgium), Emi Martinez (Argentina), Lucas Digne (France), John McGinn (Scotland), and Victor Lindelof (Sweden).
How the Compensation Works
FIFA has allocated $355 million to compensate clubs releasing players for the World Cup. While the daily rate for the 2026 tournament is yet to be confirmed, the 2022 Qatar World Cup saw clubs receive $10,950 (£8,100) per day per player. The compensation period begins 10 days before the tournament starts—when players are officially released—and ends upon their country's elimination. England's trio departed with the squad on June 1, 10 days ahead of their first match on June 11 against Croatia, followed by Ghana and Panama. If England reaches the final on July 19, each player could generate $536,550 (£399,500) for Villa, potentially netting the club over £1 million.
Additional Revenue Streams
Villa's other international players add to the potential windfall. Belgium, Argentina, France, Scotland, and Sweden all have strong squads, increasing the likelihood of extended participation. However, the final compensation amount remains uncertain due to FIFA's expanded Club Benefits Programme, which now includes payments for releasing players for qualifiers. FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced the enhanced programme last year, acknowledging clubs' contributions to both qualifiers and the final tournament.
As the World Cup unfolds, Villa fans can follow the progress of their players and the club's financial gains. For more updates, follow BirminghamLive's Aston Villa coverage, including daily newsletters, WhatsApp updates, and the Claret and Blue podcast.
