Athletic set sights on World Cup payments after Champions League boost | OneFootball

Athletic have had a poor season on the pitch but a strong year off it, banking about €40m from the Champions League. With no equivalent European windfall due next year, the World Cup could still bring fresh income.

FIFA has announced a 355 million dollar programme, about 305 million euros, to reward clubs for player involvement at the finals, 70 percent up on 2022 in Qatar. Back then 209 million dollars, 180 million euros, was shared among 440 clubs from 51 member associations across six confederations.

For 2026, payments also cover appearances in qualifying. Athletic are helped through Vivian with Spain and Sannadi with Morocco. The clock started on Monday and runs until the day after elimination.

In Bilbao’s case the focus is Spain and Ghana. There is a maximum of 50 days counted between 1 June and 20 July, and clubs receive €9,321 per day for each called-up player.

Simón, Nico Williams, Laporte and Iñaki Williams could bring in around €1m if everything proceeds as normal at the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico between 11 July and 19 July.

Payments are split between teams a player represented in the two years before the finals, so Al Nassr, Laporte’s former club, is due roughly €240,000. If Spain reach the title match Bilbao would receive about €1.2m, or €900,000 if they go out in the quarter-finals and around €900,000 in the semi-finals.

Source: as.com