The Spanish national team will pay 30% of $50 million in US taxes

The Spanish national football team, champions of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, has encountered unexpected financial expenses. This was reported by One.uz.

According to reports, part of the prize money awarded to the team for winning the tournament is subject to taxation in accordance with U.S. fiscal legislation, as reported by Fox News.

Under U.S. law, non-resident foreigners who earn income within the United States are required to pay a 30% federal tax on such income if no tax treaty benefits apply between their country of residence and the U.S. The Spanish national team received a total of $50 million in prize money for their World Cup victory.

However, the U.S. authorities treated the players not as a single team, but as individuals, resulting in the tax base being calculated separately for each player.

As a result, the Spanish team may be required to pay up to $15 million in taxes to the U.S. budget. The report notes that members of the U.S. Congress emphasized that European teams should familiarize themselves with existing tax rules in advance.

Additionally, some members of the House of Representatives criticized the high tax rate applied to athletes, calling for a reevaluation of the policy. Source: Fox News.