Sevilla's low-key participation in world cup reflects club's financial strains

As the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada rapidly approaches, Spanish club Sevilla FC finds itself in an unprecedented low-key situation, with only three players representing the team in the global tournament – Djibril Sow and Rubén Vargas with Switzerland, and Ørjan Nyland with Norway.

Sevilla's financial woes underline the gravity of the situation

The Sevilla squad's lackluster performance in La Liga this season means the club can't boast a strong contingent of players, beyond Juanlu, Kike Salas, and the emergence of youth talents Oso and Castrín. As such, any player on the roster has a price, and the team will surely entertain offers for its World Cup-bound stars.

Sevilla's meager contribution is a stark contrast to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where the club had ten players participating. The team's financial struggles have led to a significant reduction in the number of players representing the club in the World Cup.

The FIFA has announced an expanded aid program for clubs ahead of the 2026 tournament, distributing $355 million, a nearly 70% increase from the previous edition. This program assigns a daily fee to each player loaned, regardless of their playing time, with each player earning around $9,321.84 per day.