FIFA and European clubs near equal split of Club World Cup solidarity fund

FIFA and European Football Clubs are close to agreeing how to distribute the $250 million solidarity fund from the 2025 Club World Cup, with half earmarked for Europe, according to The Guardian. The proposed arrangement would give European clubs $125 million and allocate the other half to clubs elsewhere, but it still requires formal approval before payments can follow.

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Reporting from Copenhagen on September 28, The Guardian's Nick Ames said EFC had initially pursued slightly more than 60% of the fund. FIFA pressed for a more balanced worldwide allocation, leading to the proposed equal split. The money is intended to extend the tournament's financial benefits beyond the teams that took part in the competition in the United States.

Under the reported European distribution plan, part of the money would go to every top-division club that did not participate in the Club World Cup. Payments would differ according to how many seasons each club spent in its domestic top division between 2021 and 2024. That would make a club's league history during the qualifying period one factor in determining its share.

Another portion would reward non-participating clubs for their performances in UEFA competitions over the same period. The Guardian reported that this could produce substantial differences between individual payouts, with Liverpool among the clubs positioned to receive more after reaching the 2022 Champions League final. The report did not specify an individual payment for Liverpool or a complete breakdown of the allocations.

The next formal steps are still ahead. EFC is due to hold its general assembly in Copenhagen on Tuesday, while the FIFA council is scheduled to meet in Zurich on October 15. According to the report, confirmation of the agreement is likely to follow council approval. The proposed division therefore does not mean clubs have already received their solidarity payments.

The negotiations follow frustration among clubs excluded from the tournament, particularly those in smaller leagues awaiting the funds. EFC had also criticised the unresolved payments in correspondence with FIFA. Separately, a proposed joint venture covering the commercial management of global club competitions remains under discussion, although The Guardian reported that an agreement on that project is not expected soon.