Spain could lose up to $15 million of the $50 million prize money earned from winning the 2026 FIFA World Cup after the payout becomes subject to United States federal tax rules.
The Spanish national team secured the World Cup title with a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the final at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday, July 19, earning the tournament’s top prize.
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The tax issue has emerged because US tax law generally applies to income generated from activities carried out within the country. Payments made to non-resident foreign athletes are typically subject to a 30 per cent federal withholding tax unless a tax treaty or another exemption applies.
If the full withholding rate is imposed, Spain could forfeit as much as $15 million, reducing the net prize money received by the world champions.
The potential tax liability has drawn political attention in the United States.
Speaking to Fox News on Tuesday, Republican Congressman Tim Burchett of Tennessee criticised the tax burden.
“I think it’s a rip-off,” Burchett said.
“I’m not a fan of it, but Americans have to do it. American professional athletes do it, so they knew that when they came over here,” he added.
The United States, alongside Canada and Mexico, hosted matches during the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup, with the final staged in New Jersey.
Tax obligations for international sporting events have long been a point of discussion, particularly when athletes and teams compete in countries where earnings from competitions are subject to domestic taxation.
In some cases, bilateral tax treaties or specific exemptions can reduce the amount ultimately paid, depending on the circumstances.
Neither FIFA nor the Royal Spanish Football Federation had publicly commented on the reported tax implications at the time of publication.
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Despite the potential deduction, Spain’s World Cup triumph remains one of the country’s greatest football achievements, adding another global title to its illustrious history after defeating defending champions Argentina in the final.
David Okere is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering business, governance, public affairs, and human-interest stories with a commitment to accuracy, balance, and public interest reporting.
