UEFA will hand clubs £205 million for releasing players to the 2024‑25 and 2026‑27 Nations League, plus Euro 2028 qualifiers and finals.
Most of that cash targets clubs whose players reach the Euro finals, with £120 million earmarked for them.
The remaining £89 million is split among clubs that supplied players for Nations League or Euro qualifiers.
This week UEFA will release £27 million to clubs whose squads featured in the 2024‑25 Nations League.
UEFA said the payment marks the first disbursement under its Club Benefits Programme cycle.
The scheme pays clubs per player per match in Nations League and Euro qualifiers, then switches to per‑player per‑day for the final tournament. In my view, the per‑day model rewards clubs more fairly.
A comparable arrangement funded the 2026 World Cup.
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How much do clubs receive?
UEFA estimates 611 clubs will benefit from the current payment cycle.
That figure could climb above 900 once the full Euro 2028 tournament is included, as happened in 2024.
Each player named in a squad earns a flat £3,285 per Nations League or Euro 2028 qualifying match – a 5 % rise on the 2020‑24 cycle.
UEFA reports RB Leipzig stands to collect the most, about £302,000 after releasing 16 players for the 2024‑25 Nations League.
While exact Premier League payouts remain uncertain until all qualifiers finish, a rough picture emerges from the 2026‑27 Nations League releases (excluding loanees):
Liverpool – 17 players
Arsenal – 13
Leeds United – 11
Aston Villa – nine
Tottenham Hotspur – eight
Brentford – eight
Bournemouth – seven
Brighton – seven
Chelsea – seven
Everton – seven
Fulham – seven
Hull City – seven
Sunderland – seven
Manchester City – six
Crystal Palace – five
Manchester United – five
Newcastle United – five
Nottingham Forest – four
Ipswich Town – three
Coventry City – one
Yet there’s no guarantee every call‑up will make the matchday squad, a prerequisite for payment.
Most Premier League sides also have players involved in other tournaments, which follow separate compensation rules, as do under‑21 appearances.
While big squads bring cash, clubs with fewer internationals enjoy extra rest and training time for those staying home.
What about women’s teams?
UEFA introduced a matching scheme for the women’s game in 2022 ahead of the 2025 Women’s Euros.
Over £3.7 million was allocated to 221 clubs that released players for that tournament.
UEFA says the funds should be used to develop women’s football.
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