The United States men's national team earned $16 million in FIFA prize money for reaching the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup before losing 4-1 to Belgium. Under the 2022 collective bargaining agreements ratified after the women's team's six-year equal-pay fight, U.S. Soccer retains 20% while the remaining 80% is divided equally between the men's and women's World Cup rosters. That leaves $6.4 million for each program — $246,153.85 per player across 26-man squads.

The men's payout will be distributed within 31 days of U.S. Soccer receiving FIFA's funds. The women's share, however, sits in an interest-bearing account until the 2027 Women's World Cup roster is finalized next spring. The U.S. women must first qualify by defeating El Salvador on November 27 in a Concacaf quarterfinal — widely expected but not guaranteed. Interest accrued on the held funds will be split among all 52 World Cup players, as will the 2027 tournament prize money.

FIFA has not yet confirmed 2027 Women's World Cup prize totals, though president Gianni Infantino has targeted parity with the men's pool. The 2023 edition paid $110 million total; the expanded 2026 men's tournament nearly doubled its purse, with round-of-16 teams receiving $16 million. Had the U.S. men beaten Belgium and reached the quarterfinals, each program would have collected $8 million instead.