FIFA increasing financial distribution to all 48 World Cup teams by 15%
Amid widespread complaints about the cost of tickets and transportation related to World Cup games, FIFA announced on Tuesday (April 28, 2026) that it will hike the money received by all 48 teams participating this summer by 15%, Reuters reported.
The national teams competing in the event in the United States, Mexico and Canada will see their preparation money rise from $1.5 million to $2.5 million.
Qualification compensation goes from $9 million to $10 million, and contributions toward team delegation expenses and increased ticket allotments will go up ‌more than $16 million.
Remaining additional income that FIFA receives will be split among all 211 national federations.
None more deserving of FIFA Peace Prize than Trump, says White House
The White House has hit back at critics of Donald Trump being awarded the FIFA Peace Prize, saying there is none more deserving than the US president, Reuters reported.
Global soccer governing body FIFA gave Trump the inaugural award at the World Cup draw in December for “promoting peace and unity around the world”, triggering condemnation from human rights groups and activists in the lead-up to the World Cup.
Australian soccer player Jackson Irvine said this week that giving the award to Trump made a mockery of FIFA’s Human Rights Policy, while Norway’s soccer federation said FIFA should abolish the award.
Holders PSG edge Bayern 5-4 in record-breaking semifinal first leg
Defending champions Paris St Germain battled past visitors Bayern Munich 5-4 in a pulsating Champions League semifinal first leg on Tuesday that had a record number of goals at this stage of the competition, Reuters reported.
In a match ‌that will go down as a classic, PSG came from a goal down to lead 5-2 with two goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele before Bayern struck twice in three minutes just before the hour to improve their chances for next week's return leg in Munich.
The match pitted the most attacking Champions League teams of the season against each other and it quickly lived up to its billing with a relentless pace and with Bayern coach Vincent Kompany in the stands, serving out a suspension, and his assistant Aaron Danks in the dugout.
Nobody better than PSG, says Luis Enrique ahead of Bayern semi
Holders Paris St Germain take on Bayern Munich in a Champions League semi-final clash of two of the top attacking teams in Europe, and while Luis Enrique says the German club are the most consistent, no team is better than his side, Reuters reported.
Three of the last four teams, PSG, Bayern and Arsenal, are top of their domestic leagues and the German side have clinched the Bundesliga, losing one game, having also lost once in Europe.
While PSG and Atletico Madrid had to come through the playoffs, Arsenal and Bayern were the top two in the league phase. In the last 16 and quarter-finals, PSG netted 12 goals and Bayern 16.
