Former Nigeria Premier Football League champions Enyimba and former league winners Remo Stars have emerged as the first confirmed Nigerian beneficiaries of FIFA’s expanded Club Benefits Programme following their contribution to the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.
The two clubs are set to receive financial compensation after FIFA approved a landmark expansion of the programme that, for the first time, rewards clubs for releasing players for World Cup qualifying matches in addition to the tournament itself.
FIFA announced that the Club Benefits Programme has been increased to a record $355 million, representing a 70 per cent rise from the amount distributed during the 2022 World Cup cycle.
While much of the attention has focused on clubs whose players will feature at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the new qualifying component has opened the door for clubs across Africa, including those in the NPFL, to earn direct financial rewards.
Under the revised framework, FIFA has allocated $100 million specifically for clubs that released players for World Cup qualifying matches played between November 2023 and October 2025.
The payments will be calculated on a per-player, per-match basis, with clubs receiving a minimum of approximately $2,360 for every player released for a qualifying fixture.
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Among Nigerian clubs, Remo Stars are expected to be one of the biggest beneficiaries due to the number of players they supplied to national teams during the qualification campaign.
The club released Benin Republic goalkeeper Adebiyi Obassa for eight qualifying matches, Super Eagles goalkeeper Kayode Bankole for two games, defender Sodiq Ismaila for two matches and Togolese forward Franck Mawuena for three fixtures.
Those appearances place Remo Stars in line for a notable payout under the new FIFA scheme.
Enyimba have also secured a place among the beneficiaries after contributing players to national team qualifying campaigns during the period covered by the programme.
FIFA explained that the expanded initiative forms part of a renewed agreement with the European Club Association and is intended to recognize the role clubs play in developing players and making them available for international football.
Beyond the qualifying allocation, a further $250 million has been reserved for clubs whose players participate in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
Those payments will be calculated on a per-player, per-day basis according to squad selection and the duration of a player’s involvement in the tournament, with clubs expected to earn a minimum of around $5,000 per player per day.
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Additional NPFL clubs could yet join Enyimba and Remo Stars on the list of beneficiaries as FIFA finalizes the distribution of funds under its enhanced compensation programme.
