For the 2026 World Cup, Ghanaian clubs will reap the benefits of the unprecedented FIFA Club Benefits Program.
FIFA announced that a record USD 355 million will be given to clubs globally for the release of players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and the final tournament, and Ghanaian clubs will be among the recipients of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme (CBP).
A major change in the way solidarity payments are distributed will occur as clubs releasing players for the World Cup qualifiers will also directly profit for the first time in the program’s history.
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In the past, compensation was only given to clubs whose players participated in the final competition.
Due to this modification, Ghanaian Premier League teams that supply players to the Black Stars throughout the qualifying campaign, including Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, Medeama SC, Dreams FC, Nations FC, and others, would receive cash compensation.
One of the many instances where Ghanaian clubs stand to gain even if their players do not make the final roster for the 2026 World Cup is Hearts goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who has recently earned Black Stars outings in the qualifiers.
The program acknowledges the importance of local clubs in developing talent for international competitions and offers a more equitable and inclusive allocation of resources across global club football.
Since the Ghana Premier League plays a significant role in the national team’s success, this development is a welcome boost that may result in much-needed funding for youth development, player welfare, and infrastructure.
USD 209 million was distributed among 440 teams globally in the previous edition (Qatar 2022), but the new extended model now guarantees that Ghana’s local clubs will gain even more for their support of the national team’s football.
