Accra: Several African nations, including the Ghana national football team, could face financial setbacks as FIFA has not secured full tax exemption from the United States for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. This situation may lead to national teams paying taxes on portions of their prize money and income generated during the tournament's matches hosted on American soil.
According to Ghana Web, the 2026 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico, marks the first time the tournament will feature 48 teams. Unlike the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, where participating nations were granted full tax exemptions, the United States has not agreed to a complete tax waiver for the upcoming event. This decision may particularly impact African teams, such as Ghana, Senegal, and DR Congo, who could see a reduction in their World Cup incomes due to taxation.
Some countries may mitigate these financial challenges through existing tax agreements with the United States. For example, the national football teams of Egypt, Morocco, and South Africa have tax treaties that could lessen the economic burden. Meanwhile, players and coaching staff will still be required to pay taxes on earnings made in the United States, potentially adding strain to football associations operating under tight budgets.