Fifa agrees to pay clubs extra £119m to release players for men’s World Cup

Fifa has agreed to pay clubs an extra $146m (£119m) to release their players for the men’s World Cup, and give them a greater say in football’s calendar, as part of a new deal that indicates a significant thawing of relations between the sport’s governing body and Europe’s top teams.

Relations have been frosty since the Fifa president, Gianni Infantino, offered his tacit support for the failed European Super League project and advocated for a World Cup every two years. Infantino was all smiles on Tuesday, however, as he signed a new memorandum of understanding with the European Clubs Association in Budapest across a range of issues.

Notably Fifa has agreed to significantly increase its compensation package to clubs to release players for the World Cup, from $209m (£170m) for the 2018 and 2022 tournaments to $355m (£289m) in 2026 and 2030. Fifa will also explore a joint venture with the clubs around the 2025 Club World Cup, not dissimilar to the relationship the ECA has with Uefa over the Champions League. Such a deal, if realised, could see the big clubs reap big financial rewards – and also make a European Super League even less likely.

“This is a significant day for the future of football and its long-term stability,” Infantino said. “We are very happy to renew and strengthen our cooperation agreement with ECA, an important stakeholder representing clubs from all over Europe.

“To have the new international match calendar endorsed by ECA provides the necessary balance between club and national team football. We have exciting projects ahead, including the new Fifa Club World Cup in 2025 and the new Fifa Women’s Club World Cup. A close collaboration with clubs in Europe, and the rest of the world, will be essential for