Following their victory in the 2026 FIFA World Cup held in the United States, Spain may face a significant reduction in prize money. Reports indicate that US federal tax regulations could claim up to 30 percent of the $50 million earned by the Spanish team. Current American laws generally mandate a 30 percent withholding tax on income generated by non-resident athletes within the country unless specific treaties provide relief.
While FIFA successfully lobbied for federal tax exemptions for itself and national federations, these protections do not extend to individual players, coaches, or staff. Analyst William Copus noted that beyond the 30 percent federal rate, athletes may also be subject to state-level levies, known as jock taxes, in places like New Jersey and California, which could push the total tax burden even higher.
The policy has drawn criticism from various US lawmakers. Tennessee Republican Tim Burchett called the tax a rip-off that discourages international engagement. Similarly, Illinois Democrat Jonathan Jackson highlighted the situation as evidence of systemic flaws in the US tax code, suggesting that the burden should shift away from individual earners toward corporations. Utah Republican Burgess Owens also expressed concern regarding the high tax rate, despite his enthusiasm for the tournament’s success in the US.
