The Korean Football Association (KFA) has completed and announced the criteria for rewards and support for the national football team at the 2026 World Cup. This year's tournament is expanded to 48 participating teams. Teams compete in the knockout round from the 32-team round, so the performance-based reward system is a key factor to stimulate the spirit of players and teams.
According to the announcement of the Korean Football Association (KFA), each player in the 26-man squad of the Korean national team will receive a basic allowance of 50 million won. This figure is an increase of 30 million won compared to 20 million won paid in the 2022 World Cup under coach Paulo Bento.
The prize money for each match win is calculated according to the "scene-by-scene" method, the prize amount will increase as the round progresses. A win in the group stage, each player will receive 30 million won, and a draw will receive 10 million won.
However, starting from the knockout round, a win in round 32, the player will receive 50 million won/person, a win in round 16 will receive 80 million won/person, a win in the quarter-finals will receive 140 million won/person, a win in the semi-finals will receive 200 million won/person, and a win in the final will receive 300 million won/person.
In addition, the "Player Family Support" program implemented after the tournament in Qatar in 2022 to ensure psychological stability and motivation for players will be expanded and operated this year. Each member of the player's family will be provided with two double rooms at a hotel in the host city. Four first-class tickets for each match will also be provided so that families can cheer for the team in that locality.
In addition, KFA also decided to charter a private plane to travel from Salt Lake City, USA, the location of the pre-tournament training camp, to Guadalajara, Mexico, where the main tournament of the Korean national team takes place.
At the 2026 World Cup, the Korean national team is in Group A with hosts Mexico, Czech Republic and South Africa.
