Enyimba and Remo Stars Set for FIFA Cash Boost as Club Benefits Programme Expands for 2026 World Cup Cycle

Former Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) champions Enyimba and Remo Stars are in line for financial rewards following confirmation by FIFA that clubs releasing players for the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign will now benefit from an expanded Club Benefits Programme.

FIFA announced on June 9 that the scheme, originally created to compensate clubs for releasing players for international duty, has been significantly upgraded. For the first time, it now includes payments for player participation in World Cup qualifying matches, not just the final tournament.

Under the revised structure, clubs will receive a minimum of $2,360 for every player released for each qualifying match. The initiative forms part of a broader effort to ensure clubs are financially supported for their role in developing and supplying players to national teams.

The governing body also confirmed that the total fund has been increased to $355 million under a renewed Memorandum of Understanding with the European Club Association. This represents a 70 percent rise compared to the distribution during the 2022 World Cup cycle.

According to FIFA, the $355 million package has been split into two main allocations. A total of $100 million is reserved for clubs that release players during the World Cup qualifiers across 905 matches worldwide.

The remaining $250 million will be distributed to clubs whose players feature in the 2026 World Cup finals, scheduled for June 11 to July 19, 2026. Payments will be calculated on a per-player, per-day basis depending on squad selection and the length of a player’s involvement in the tournament.

FIFA added that clubs could earn at least about $5,000 per player per day during the final tournament, while a further $5 million reserve fund will be used to support global club football development after administrative costs.

In Nigeria, Remo Stars are expected to be among the key beneficiaries due to their strong contribution to national teams during the qualifying period between November 2023 and October 2025. The club released several players, including Benin Republic goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa for eight matches, Nigeria goalkeeper Kayode Bankole for two matches, defender Sodiq Ismaila for two matches, and Togo international Franck Mawuena for three matches.

The expanded programme highlights FIFA’s continued recognition of the role clubs play in nurturing talent and releasing players for international duty, while providing increased financial compensation to support club football development globally.

Samuel Ahmadu

Samuel Ahmadu is a distinguished multimedia journalist and women's football expert with over 15 years of experience in the industry. On the back of domestic engagement since 2008, he began his international career journey at Goal.com in February 2014, where he served as an African women's football correspondent for nearly eight years. During his tenure at Goal.com, Samuel covered major events such as three Women's Africa Cup of Nations (2016, 2018, 2022) and the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup in Canada plus 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia. His work at Goal.com earned him widespread acclaim, particularly for his in-depth profiles of African football stars, notably Asisat Oshoala, whose rise he documented from her early years to her breakthrough at the FIFA U20 Women's World Cup in 2014. Prior to his role at Goal.com, Samuel freelanced for various print and broadcast media outlets in Nigeria, including Graphics Newspaper, Radio Nigeria, Grace FM, and Savid Newspaper. His extensive experience and expertise led to his appointment to the Nigeria Football Federation's Standing Committee on Women's Football Development from 2016 to 2018. Since February 2018, Samuel has been the Social Media Manager for Nigeria's women's national teams.In 2019, Samuel joined the Confederation of African Football (CAF) as a women's football content contributor and was promoted to Women's Football Editor in 2021. His contributions to women's football continued as he worked as a Media Consultant for Content Creation and Editorials at the 2022 CAF Women's Champions League. Currently, Samuel also serves as the spokesman for the Nigeria Women Football League, further solidifying his influence and dedication to the growth of women's football in Africa.

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