This is the Payout for Oranje Reaching the World Cup Knockout Stage: Prize Money Explodes After Group Stage

Everything about this tournament is big, bigger, biggest. That's fitting for the United States, one of the three host nations for the World Cup. FIFA has also significantly boosted the prize money. A staggering 744 million euros is up for grabs among a record 48 participating nations. This substantial increase is directly linked to FIFA's soaring revenues in recent years.

"FIFA is proud to be in its strongest financial position ever, allowing us to provide unprecedented support to all our member associations. This is another example of how FIFA's resources are being reinvested into the sport," stated President Gianni Infantino via Reuters ahead of the tournament.

Before the tournament even began, the Dutch national team (Oranje) and the KNVB (Royal Dutch Football Association) were already guaranteed 10.5 million euros just for participating. All nations received 2 million euros to cover preparation and costs. For teams finishing between 33rd and 48th place, meaning those who don't advance past the group stage, 8.5 million euros awaits.

By reaching the last 32, Oranje's prize money will increase by at least 900,000 euros. It gets even more lucrative from there. Teams making it to the round of 16 will receive a total of 12.8 million euros. Those eliminated in the quarter-finals will go home with 16.2 million euros. The fourth-place team at the World Cup secures 23 million euros, while the winner of the third-place playoff receives 1.8 million euros more than the fourth-place team. The final itself involves truly staggering sums: the world champion will pocket 42.7 million euros, while the losing finalist will 'only' take home 28.2 million euros.

Despite the potential winnings, the KNVB isn't counting its chickens. "If we become world champions, we earn 6 million dollars. If we finish second, we incur a 2 million dollar loss," said Marianne van Leeuwen, director of professional football, earlier this World Cup. "When you see the prices of hotels and plane tickets, it's truly outrageous. Fortunately, we are not dependent on FIFA money and are not here to make a profit, but to win the tournament."

This year, the KNVB, along with several other federations, successfully approached FIFA. "It's absolutely ridiculous that you would lose money at a World Cup," said chairman Frank Paauw from the eighteenth floor of a skyscraper near Times Square. "Ultimately, FIFA gave all participants an additional 2 million dollars. So, it's good that we raised the alarm."