European nations wanted more merit-based prize money High costs of travel and hotels will exceed Fifa payouts European nations wanted more merit-based prize money High costs of travel and hotels will exceed Fifa payouts A number of leading European countries still expect to lose money at the World Cup despite Fifa increasing the prize and participation fund by $112m (£82m) this week. The main host federation, US Soccer, is also understood to be forecasting an operational loss on the tournament,