Uganda Premier League (UPL) clubs are among those set to receive a financial boost from FIFA, following major changes to the FIFA Club Benefits Programme (CBP) ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For the first time since its introduction, the CBP will not only reward clubs whose players make it to the final tournament, but also those whose players feature in the World Cup qualifiers.
This means that Ugandan clubs who release players to the Cranes during the ongoing qualification campaign will now directly benefit.
Record USD 355 Million Allocation
As part of a renewed memorandum of understanding signed between FIFA and the European Club Association (ECA) in March 2023, FIFA has set aside a record USD 355 million to be distributed globally to clubs who release players for the 2026 tournament in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
“The enhanced edition of the FIFA Club Benefits Programme for the FIFA World Cup 2026 is going a step further by recognising financially the huge contribution that so many clubs and their players around the world make to the staging of both the qualifiers and the final tournament,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said.
What It Means for Ugandan Clubs
This new approach marks a turning point for Ugandan football. Previously, clubs only benefitted if their players went all the way to the World Cup finals. Now, simply featuring in qualifiers guarantees financial compensation.
Among the UPL clubs set to benefit are: Vipers SC for Allan Okello, Abdu Karim Watambala, Hilary Mukundane.
KCCA FC for Gavin Kizito, Herbert Achayi, and Joel Sserunjogi.
SC Villa for Patrick Jonah Kakande and Mpande and BUL FC for Joel Mutakubwa.
This recognition comes as a relief to clubs that often lose key players to national duty while managing the financial strain of running competitive squads.
A Wider Net of Support
Nasser Al-Khelaïfi, Chairman of the ECA, highlighted that this expansion ensures “even more clubs across the world are rewarded for releasing players” and strengthens the collaboration between FIFA and global clubs.
The fourth edition of the CBP, which covered the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, saw USD 209 million distributed to 440 clubs across 51 countries.
With the expanded format, the 2026 edition is set to reach a record number of beneficiaries worldwide, including clubs in Uganda.
FIFA has promised to release further details on the distribution model and registration process in due course.
For UPL clubs, this is the moment to get their documentation in order to ensure they don’t miss out on the historic opportunity.
With Ugandan players already featuring in the qualifiers, the financial rewards for their parent clubs are closer than ever before.
