All three figures trace back to FIFA. None of them is wrong. But only one of them is prize money, and the confusion says a great deal about how the governing body's record $871 million distribution has been reported.

The partnership covers some of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar - the Los Angeles 2028 and Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games, the French Alps 2030 Olympic Winter Games, and the Dakar 2026 and Dolomiti Valtellina 2028 Youth Olympic Games.

Every team that qualifies is now guaranteed at least $12.5 million before a single ball is kicked, with performance-based prize money stacked on top of that.

The federation has began the construction phase of a multi-country aquatic infrastructure drive across Africa, with new swimming facilities now being built in Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda and Lesotho - all expected to open by October 2026.

The U.S. government's new bond requirement for nationals of several participating nations threatens to create a two-tier tournament - and raises questions about competitive integrity.