Do players get paid for playing in the World Cup?

Cristiano Ronaldo of Portugal walks off the pitch after the 1-1 draw during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group K match between Portugal and Congo DR. — Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid player in the world (Image credit: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

Elite-level footballers can earn an absolute fortune playing club football, but is it the same when they represent their nations at tournaments?

With the World Cup currently ongoing, players are taking time they would ordinarily spend on holiday with their families and instead competing for the highest international honour.

But are they doing it simply for the love of the game, or is there a financial incentive included too? Well, the answer is both yes and no.

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England players haven't earned any money for international appearances since 2007

Bukayo Saka #7 and Declan Rice #4 of England react after the 4-2 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia at Dallas Stadium on June 17, 2026 in Arlington, Texas — Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice (Image credit: Getty Images)

England players are entitled to appearance fees from the FA for their international appearances, but since 2007, none of them have received those payments.

Instead, the fees, which haven't been revealed by the FA, but are thought to be a fraction of their weekly payments from their clubs at around £2,500, are donated to the England Football Foundation charity.

Jude Bellingham of England (C) celebrates after scoring his team's third goal with Harry Kane (L) and Noni Madueke (R) during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group L match between England and Croatia — England players donate appearance fees to charity (Image credit: Getty Images)

Since the beginning of this initiative, the players have raised more than £15m to charity.

Other nations' players will still receive their appearance money and it is up to their respective football federations to distribute payments as they see fit.

FIFA provides each nation with a participation fee, as well as bonuses for progressing to the next stage, and a winners' fee for the champions.

Overall, around £658m ($871m) will be distributed between the 48 participating countries, with the winners set to pocket $50m (£38m).

That marks a 15% increase from the £549m ($727m) handed out during Qatar 2022.

Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the FIFA World Cup trophy during celebrations after an international friendly match between Argentina and Panama at Estadio M&aacute;s Monumental Antonio Vespucio Liberti on March 23, 2023 in Buenos Aires, Argentina. — A $50m fee will be given to the World Cup champions (Image credit: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images)

It isn't just England players who donate their fees to charity, either.

Kylian Mbappe famously donated his appearance fees for the Qatar World Cup, as well as his fees and prize money from the Russia World Cup in 2018.

It is yet to be confirmed if anyone else will be donating their fees from this year's tournament.

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Ryan Gray is a freelance writer, covering mainly travel and occasionally sport. He previously spent two years as Sports Editor at the Watford Observer before turning his hand to travel writing, with his work appearing in various national UK publications. He has gone from providing matchday commentary for Blyth Spartans to covering FA Cup and Euros finals, as well as interviewing the likes of Claudio Ranieri, Alan Shearer and Glenn Hoddle, among other big names.