The German national football team could secure a record bonus if they win the 2026 World Cup, with the DFB increasing incentives compared to the tournament in Qatar.
Despite the potential record payout, the DFB stars remain fully focused on the 2026 World Cup. © IMAGO/Norbert Schmidt
The mission for a fifth star could bring a historic bonus to Germany’s football stars at the 2026 World Cup. Compared to the Qatar tournament, the DFB is raising the stakes.
According to DFB managing director Andreas Rettig, who spoke on the sidelines of an event in Düsseldorf on Tuesday evening, the German national team would receive a record bonus if they succeed in their quest for the fifth star this summer. Rettig declined to specify a concrete amount, but stated: “If the team becomes world champions, there will be more than in Qatar because significantly more revenue is coming in—I won’t hold back on that.”
The title at the desert World Cup three and a half years ago would have given each player a bonus of €400,000. However, the four-time world champions were eliminated in the group stage, just as they were in Russia 2018. At the home Euro 2024, a tournament victory would have also brought €400,000, while the 2014 world champions received €300,000.
DFB Stars Prioritize “Performance Willingness” Over Bonus
Rettig emphasized that the bonus question is one of the least concerning topics for the players, led by captain Joshua Kimmich, in the buildup. “There are no tough negotiations. There is total willingness to perform,” he said.
The team is so confident that the bonus would be “close to zero” in the event of an early exit. Instead, the attitude is: “We want to get a little extra if we become world champions at the end.”
Nevertheless, the issue is complicated. Prize money is paid in dollars, and during conversion, “no one should lose—neither the team nor the DFB.” Additionally, the tax question is “a big problem.” The high costs in the USA, Mexico, and Canada also play a role. Rettig noted that the World Cup “will be a loss-making business for most teams that don’t reach the semifinals.”
Therefore, the DFB has built in a buffer for the bonus. “We agree on the rough outline, and then we see what comes out.” The underlying message in talks with the team is: “Play football and make sure you get the title or success—and then we won’t deduct anything from your salary.”
