World Cup to get cash boost as FIFA unveils red card crackdown

Email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Washington DC: FIFA has announced a significant financial boost for the 2026 World Cup, raising total distributions to nearly $900 million. 

The shared fund for the 48 participating teams has increased from $727 million to $871 million to help offset rising travel and operational costs across the three host nations. ‘

As part of this package, preparation payments for each team have jumped from $1.5 million to $2.5 million, while the baseline qualification award has risen to $10 million.

Alongside the funding, a new disciplinary crackdown will target misconduct on the field. Players who cover their mouths during confrontations with opponents will now face an immediate red card, a rule change specifically designed to combat racism and hidden verbal abuse. This follows high-profile incidents where players were accused of using slurs while obscuring their speech.

Further law changes include red cards for players who leave the pitch in protest of a referee's decision. Teams that cause a game to be abandoned will also face an automatic forfeit. 

These measures aim to preserve the integrity of the tournament and prevent star players from missing crucial matches due to avoidable disciplinary issues.