Uzbek clubs to receive FIFA compensation for the first time in history

For the first time in their history, Uzbek teams will receive compensation from FIFA for players who participated in both the World Cup qualifying stages and the tournament finals. FIFA plans to provide $355 million in compensation for the 2026 World Cup, the Uzbekistan Professional Football League (UzPFL) reported.

This practice began with the 2010 World Cup. At that time, compensation totaled $40 million, while for the tournament held in Qatar, it reached $209 million. Teams eliminated in the group stage of the Qatar World Cup were considered to have participated for at least 14 days, with each player receiving $10,950 per day of the competition.

Starting from the 2026 FIFA World Cup, several principles of this program will change. First, the total amount of compensation allocated for the tournament has reached a record $355 million. Of this sum, $100 million will be distributed among clubs that release their players for national teams during the continental qualifying stages. To qualify, a player must have been listed in the official match sheet for a World Cup qualifying match, regardless of whether the player ultimately earns a World Cup berth with the national team. Previously, only the club that had registered the player during the past two seasons was eligible to receive compensation. Now, any club that releases its players for the World Cup and its qualifying stages can receive the allocated funds under the program.

As a result of the Uzbekistan national team qualifying for the World Cup, Uzbek clubs will receive FIFA compensation for releasing their players to participate in World Cup matches and qualifiers. For example, during the final two qualifying rounds, Abduvohid Ne’matov was listed 15 times, Sherzod Nasrullaev 12 times, Akmal Mozgovoy 10 times, Zafarmurod Abdurahmatov 4 times, Ghalib Gaybulayev 2 times, and Alibek Davronov once on Uzbekistan’s official match sheets. All these players participated as members of FC Nasaf. Additionally, Umar Eshmurodov played as a Nasaf player in 4 out of 13 matches, and Bobur Abdukholiqov in 8 out of 11 matches. This means that FC Karshi will earn a set amount of compensation for each match involving these players.

The $100 million allocated for the qualifying stage will be distributed among thousands of clubs worldwide. The remaining funds will be given to the clubs of players who participated in the World Cup itself.

Diyor Toshpulatov