Spain lifted the World Cup, but the IRS still gets a cut of its $50 million pay day as players, coaches and refs all face complex U.S. “jock taxes”

Spain’s victory over Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final not only secured the country’s first men’s World Cup title in more than a decade—it also came with  a $50 million prize from FIFA. While the trophy now sits in Madrid, a portion of the prize money could ultimately find its way to Washington. That’s because many of the players, coaching staff and referees who earned income during the tournament may have also incurred U.S. tax obligations.

It doesn’t stop there: the Spanish players will also have tax implications back home. According to RCM Legal, 17 of the 26 Spanish national players will be obligated to pay taxes to the European nation.

“Those who are tax residents in Spain are taxed on their worldwide income,” RCM Legal said in a report. “This is the situation for international players who play for Spanish clubs, such as Lamine Yamal, a footballer for FC Barcelona.”

Colloquially named “jock tax,” athletes performing services inside the United States are generally subject to U.S. taxation on income earned for those services, even if they are non-residents. Artists and actors are also applicable to these tax implications.

For its part,  FIFA has regularly secured tax exemptions from its host nations since 2010, the year the Spanish National Team last........

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