Celtic Set for Significant FIFA World Cup Windfall

Celtic are in line for a sizeable FIFA payout this summer with eight first-team players heading to the World Cup across North America.

The tournament gets underway on 11 June with matches hosted across the United States, Canada and Mexico, and Celtic will be well represented once the group stages begin.

Auston Trusty is part of the United States squad, while Anthony Ralston and Kieran Tierney have both been included by Steve Clarke for Scotland. Alistair Johnston is back fit in time to represent Canada after returning late in the season.

Daizen Maeda will line up for Japan, Benjamin Nygren has been selected by Sweden, Sebastian Tounekti is involved with Tunisia, and Yang Hyun-jun has earned another call-up for South Korea.

It leaves Celtic set for a windfall through FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme, which compensates clubs for releasing players for international duty during the tournament.

The last World Cup saw around £155 million distributed between 440 clubs worldwide. Payments worked out at roughly £9,000 per player, per day across the competition.

That figure is increasing this time around, with FIFA set to distribute around £263 million to clubs involved. With eight Celtic players heading away, the return would be a minimum amount of £2 million, potentially more depending on how long each nation remains in the competition.

It is money Celtic will hardly turn down, especially with another summer rebuild ahead and Champions League qualifiers looming further down the line.

The players leave on international duty off the back of another successful domestic campaign under Martin O’Neill, with the league and Scottish Cup double wrapped up.

There was a moment of concern at Hampden when Kieran Tierney went down during the Scottish Cup final and had to be replaced by Marcelo Saracchi. O’Neill later confirmed there was no serious issue, easing fears Scotland could lose him before a ball was kicked at the tournament.

Daizen Maeda heads away in frightening form.

The Japanese forward finished the season with nine goals in his last seven Celtic appearances and repeatedly delivered in the biggest moments. The overhead kick against Rangers, the late winner at Tynecastle that effectively sealed the title, and the composed lob at Hampden summed up the level he hit during the run-in.

If that does prove to be Maeda’s final Celtic appearance before a summer move develops, he leaves after four and a half years of relentless contribution and big-game impact.

Alistair Johnston’s return also gave Celtic a lift when it mattered most. Even after weeks out injured, he stepped straight back in and immediately looked like the first-choice right-back again.

Now the focus shifts to international football and, from a Celtic perspective, simply getting them all back healthy.

That matters more than the FIFA cheque.