World Cup Winners Pocket $50M — But the IRS Takes Its Share

Winning the World Cup is arguably the greatest achievement in team sports, but there's one opponent no champion can defeat: the IRS. According to MarketWatch, the winning side at this year's tournament is set to collect a staggering $50 million prize — and American tax authorities are already eyeing their share before the confetti settles.

Here's the thing most soccer fans don't think about: prize money earned by athletes, even on international stages, can be subject to U.S. taxation depending on the players' citizenship and residency status. American players on any World Cup roster could owe federal income tax on their portion of the winnings, no matter where the tournament is played or where the check is cashed. The IRS doesn't really care about geography — if you're a U.S. taxpayer, your worldwide income is fair game.

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For non-American players, the situation gets a little more complicated but doesn't necessarily mean they're off the hook entirely. Tax treaties between the U.S. and other countries can affect how much — if anything — gets withheld, but players who earn income on U.S. soil during the tournament could still face some liability. Bottom line: the tax code is about as easy to dribble past as a world-class defender.

What makes this story worth paying attention to is the sheer scale of the money involved. Fifty million dollars split across a squad, coaching staff, and federation still represents life-changing sums for individual players — and a meaningful tax bill for those with U.S. obligations. Financial advisers who work with professional athletes routinely flag tournament bonuses as an overlooked tax exposure, and the World Cup prize pool is about as high-profile as it gets.

So whoever hoists that golden trophy, one thing is certain: the celebration back home will come with a call from an accountant. Continue reading at MarketWatch.com.