Manchester United's 13 World Cup players set to generate £263m FIFA club payment

Manchester United are in line to receive a share of FIFA’s £263.6 million club benefits programme after confirming 13 players in World Cup squads for the tournament being held across the United States, Canada and Mexico this summer.

FIFA’s club benefits programme compensates clubs for releasing players to international duty, with payment beginning on the date a player departs for their national squad and continuing through to their final match in the competition. Players do not need to appear on the pitch to trigger the payment. The daily rate for this summer’s tournament has not yet been announced, but the 2022 Qatar World Cup saw clubs receive $10,950 (£8,131) per player per day — a figure that provides a rough basis for estimating United’s total return.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlined the scale of the fund last year. “A record $355 million will be distributed via the CBP to clubs for the release of their players,” he said, “and this reinforces our solid collaboration with the European Club Association and clubs worldwide as we all look forward to a groundbreaking and globally inclusive edition of the World Cup.”

United’s contingent spans several continents. Diogo Dalot and Bruno Fernandes will represent Portugal, while Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford have been named in England’s squad. Matheus Cunha and the departing Casemiro — whose United contract expires at the end of June — will both feature for five-time champions Brazil.

Elsewhere, Lisandro Martinez is included in Argentina’s squad, Manuel Ugarte has made Uruguay’s selection despite a difficult club season, and Amad will represent Ivory Coast. Noussair Mazraoui is set to play for Morocco, while Diogo Dalot’s compatriot Bruno Fernandes joins him in Portugal’s group.

Goalkeepers Altay Bayindir and Senne Lammens have been called up by Turkey and Belgium respectively, and Tyler Fletcher earned a late call-up to Scotland’s squad following an injury to another player.

With Casemiro included, United’s total representation stands at 13 players — a figure that underlines both the club’s international reach and the scale of the financial return they can expect once the tournament concludes.