By: Kwame Bediako
Ghanaian football clubs will be among the major beneficiaries of FIFA’s latest Club Benefits Programme (CBP), as FIFA announced a historic $355 million distribution to clubs worldwide for releasing players during the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers and final tournament.
This marks a significant increase from the $209 million shared in the previous 2022 Qatar World Cup cycle. For the first time, clubs that released players during the World Cup qualifiers, not just the final tournament, will receive compensation.
This change ensures that Ghana Premier League teams such as Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, Samartex, Medeama SC, Bibiani GoldStars, Dreams FC, and Nations FC will be rewarded financially for their role in supplying players to the national team during the qualification phase.
One notable example is Hearts of Oak goalkeeper Benjamin Asare, who has earned appearances for the Black Stars during the qualifiers. Such players highlight how local Ghanaian clubs will benefit even if their athletes do not feature in the final World Cup squad.
The new approach reflects a more equitable sharing of solidarity funds, recognizing the vital contribution of domestic clubs to international football development. Given the Ghana Premier League’s importance as a talent pipeline for the Black Stars, this increase in financial support arrives at a crucial time.
The funds are expected to bolster club infrastructure, improve player welfare, and enhance youth development programs, ultimately strengthening Ghana’s football ecosystem.
In comparison, the previous CBP for the 2022 World Cup distributed $209 million among 440 clubs globally. The expanded 2026 model broadens the scope of beneficiaries, ensuring local Ghanaian clubs play a direct and rewarded role in advancing national team success on the world stage.
