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2026 World Cup Players Drive Record $3.3 Billion Transfers
Football clubs spent a record amount of money buying players from other countries.
Players who took part in the 2026 World Cup were especially important to this spending.
More than 260 of those players changed clubs.
Together, their transfers cost more than $3.3 billion.
Men's football transfers totaled $9.89 billion during the window.
More than 12,500 men's international transfers were registered.
Women's football also set records, with spending rising to $28.6 million.
English clubs spent the most in both men's and women's football.
FIFA said strong World Cup performances helped drive the spending.
More than 260 players from the 2026 World Cup generated over $3.3 billion in international transfer fees.
Those players accounted for more than one-third of the record $9.89 billion spent in men's football.
Over 12,500 international men's transfers were registered during the mid-year window, a new record.
Women's international transfer spending more than doubled from 2025 to $28.6 million across 1,406 transfers.
English clubs led spending, with $3.02 billion in men's fees and $8.0 million in women's fees.
- Who
- More than 260 players from the 2026 World Cup, along with international football clubs.
- What
- World Cup players helped drive record international transfer spending, including more than $3.3 billion in fees.
- Where
- Across international football markets worldwide.
- When
- During the recently concluded mid-year transfer window following the July 2026 World Cup.
- Why
- FIFA said performances at football's biggest tournament helped drive increased transfer activity and spending.
Key facts
- Men's transfer spending
- $9.89 billion in international fees
- World Cup player transfers
- More than $3.3 billion
- Men's international transfers
- More than 12,500
- Women's transfer spending
- $28.6 million, more than double the 2025 figure
- Women's international transfers
- 1,406, a record and 19.2% above the previous record
- Top men's-spending clubs
- English clubs, with $3.02 billion
- Top women's-spending clubs
- English clubs, with $8.0 million
Quotes
FIFA
Football’s global governing body
“A total of 1,406 international transfers were registered in women’s professional football – the highest number ever recorded and a 19.2% increase compared with the previous record.”
rediff.com
“More than 12,500 international transfers were registered around the world, also setting a new record for the number of transfers during a mid-year window.”
rediff.com
Sources
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