When Team Canada takes the field for its opening World Cup game in Toronto on June 12, the stakes really will be higher than ever. The men's national squad will be chasing history on home soil while competing in a tournament featuring the largest prize pool in World Cup history.
FIFA will distribute a record US$655 million to the 48 countries competing at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a 50% increase over the US$440 million awarded at the 2022 tournament in Qatar. Teams eliminated in the group stage will each receive US$12 million (which includes the prize pool money and additional payments). Prize money increases with each round, culminating in US$33 million for the runner-up and US$50 million for the champion.
Under a collective bargaining agreement with Canada Soccer, the sport's national governing body, every player selected to Canada's 2026 World Cup roster will receive a base payment of CAD$25,000 per group-stage match in the first round. With three group-stage games, each roster player would earn at least CAD$75,000. Those financial rewards are a far cry from Canada's first-ever World Cup appearance in 1986, when members of that squad reportedly received just $1,000 per game.
Canada Soccer and the players on both the men's and women's national teams also share a portion of World Cup prize money through a tiered formula tied to the men's 2026 World Cup and the women's 2027 World Cup. Canada Soccer retains the first US$12 million in combined group-stage prize money from both tournaments. Of the next US$2 million, 50% is allocated to player compensation pools. The share falls to 25% on the following US$1 million and 15% on any amount above US$15 million.
If Canada’s men’s team advances beyond the group stage this summer, the players stand to earn substantially more. Under the agreement, 50% of any additional FIFA prize money generated through advancement in the knockout rounds will be split evenly between the men's and women's team players, with the remaining 50% retained by Canada Soccer.
Preparation looks the same whether you're Alphonso Davies or a depth midfielder – at least until payday.Steve Russell/Getty Images
Assuming FIFA follows through on its commitment to equalize men's and women's World Cup prize money, each player on Canada's men's and women's participating national team squads would stand to receive an approximate minimum of US$34,700 (beyond their base pay) if both teams were eliminated in the group stage. At the other extreme, if both teams were to improbably win their respective World Cups, each player would receive that group stage minimum plus an additional US$836,735.
The arrangement reflects years of negotiations over how tournament revenues should be shared. In the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, public disputes between players and Canada Soccer highlighted conflicts over compensation and prize money. The current agreement provides a clearer framework while also directing funds toward the broader development of the sport and ensuring equity between the men's and women's national teams.
Here's how that compensation and prize money compares with the club salaries* of the players expected** to start Canada's opening match against Bosnia and Herzegovina on June 12. For most players, the prize money probably won't be the motivating factor – rather, they really will be playing for god and country!
Maxime Crépeau
- Position: Goalkeeper
- Club: Orlando City (MLS)
- Salary per week: US$11,538
- Salary per year: US$600,000
Derek Cornelius
- Position: Defender
- Club: Glasgow Rangers (Scotland - Premiership) on loan from Marseille (France - Ligue 1)
- Salary per week: US$13,400
- Salary per year: US$696,800
Luc de Fougerolles
- Position: Defender
- Club: Dender (Belgium - Pro League) on loan from Fulham (England - Premier League)
- Salary: Not publicly disclosed
Alistair Johnston
- Position: Defender
- Club: Celtic (Scotland - Premiership)
- Salary per week: US$33,600
- Salary per year: US$1,747,200
Richie Laryea
- Position: Defender
- Club: Toronto FC (MLS)
- Salary per week: US$23,355
- Salary per year: US$1,214,438
Tajon Buchanan
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Villarreal (Spain - La Liga)
- Salary per week: US$87,177
- Salary per year: US$4,533,229
Stephen Eustáquio
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Los Angeles FC (MLS) on loan from Porto (Portugal - Primeira Liga)
- Salary per week: US$34,615
- Salary per year: US$1,800,000
Ismaël Koné
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Sassuolo (Italy - Serie A)
- Salary per week: US$38,895
- Salary per year: US$2,022,518
Liam Millar
- Position: Midfielder
- Club: Hull City (England – Championship)
- Salary per week: US$25,163
- Salary per year: US$1,308,481
Jonathan David
- Position: Forward
- Club: Juventus (Italy - Serie A)
- Salary per week: US$234,000
- Salary per year: US$12,168,000
Cyle Larin
- Position: Forward
- Club: Southampton (England - Championship)
- Salary per week: US$20,969
- Salary per year: US$1,090,401
It's also worth noting that team captain – and highest-paid player – Alphonso Davies will miss the opening game due to injury. But just for the record:
Alphonso Davies
- Position: Defender
- Club: Bayern Munich (Germany – Bundesliga)
- Salary per week: US$447,064
- Salary per year: US$23,247,329
For Canada Soccer itself, a successful World Cup could provide a meaningful financial boost. The organization has projected revenue of $62 million and expenses of $55.4 million for 2026. Additional FIFA prize money would strengthen its ability to fund its national team programs, youth development, and grassroots soccer initiatives. Of course, all of those projections depend on results on the field.
Canada enters the tournament ranked 30th in the world and with perhaps the strongest men's squad in its history. Drawn into a group with Bosnia and Herzegovina (ranked 64th), Qatar (57th), and Switzerland (19th), the team will be aiming to accomplish two things no Canadian men's side has achieved before: win a World Cup match and advance to the second round.
If they do, the rewards won't only be measured in goals and headlines. They'll be counted in millions of dollars as well.
*Salary sources via:
https://www.capology.com/
https://www.spotrac.com/
https://www.salaryleaks.com/
https://www.transferfeed.com/
**Players listed are the same who started Canada's June 5th exhibition game against Ireland and that many expect will to be the starting lineup in the World Cup opener.
