FIFA Confirms 5,973 International Transfers
FIFA has confirmed that the January 2026 transfer window set a new all‑time record with 5,973 international transfers in men’s professional football, the highest ever for a January window. That total represents a 3% increase in January 2025 and underlines how active the global market remains despite tighter financial conditions at many clubs.
Interestingly, while the number of deals hit a new peak, overall spending actually dropped around 18% compared to the January 2025 transfer window, down to 1.95 billion dollars in transfer fees. Even with that decline, the amount spent is still more than 20% higher than the previous January record set in 2023, showing that transfer fees remain at historically elevated levels.
In the women’s game, the trend flipped: fewer transfers but more money. Clubs completed around 420 international transfers in women’s football, down about 6% year-on-year, but total spending surged past 10 million dollars, an 85% jump on last year’s record. It is the first time women’s clubs have ever gone beyond the 10m barrier in a single January window, highlighting rapid investment growth at the top end of the women’s market.
As usual, English clubs led the way in spending, laying out roughly 363 million dollars on incoming international transfers in men’s football while recouping only about 150 million dollars from outgoing deals. Italian clubs were second with 283 million dollars spent, followed by Brazil, Germany and France. On the selling side, French clubs earned the most, bringing in about 218 million dollars in transfer fees, ahead of Italy, Brazil, England and Spain.
The United States also featured prominently in the data: clubs there spent about 99 million dollars and received 48 million in international transfer fees. In women’s football, English clubs again topped both spending and earnings, investing more than 5 million dollars and also leading in income from outgoing transfers.
Key Numbers from FIFA’s January 2026 International Transfers Report
- Men’s international transfers: 5,973 (record, +3% vs 2025)
- Men’s international transfer fees: 1.95 billion dollars (‑18% vs 2025, but 20% above 2023 record)
- Women’s international transfers: 420 (‑6% vs 2025)
- Women’s transfer fees: 10m+ dollars (+85% vs 2025, new record)
- Top spenders (men’s): England (~$363m), Italy (~$283m), then Brazil, Germany, France
- Top earners (men’s): France (~$218m), then Italy, Brazil, England, Spain
FIFA stressed that these figures cover only international transfers between clubs in different countries processed through its Transfer Matching System, meaning domestic moves inside the same national association are not included in the totals.
January 2026 International Transfers – Country-wise Club Summary
| Country | Spending (USD) | Earnings (USD) | Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| England | $363 million | $150 million | Highest spenders overall; also led in women’s football spending & earnings |
| Italy | $283 million | Not specified | Second-highest spending clubs |
| France | Not specified | $218 million | Top earners from outgoing transfers |
| USA | $99 million | $48 million | Active in both buying and selling |
| Global Men’s | $1.95 billion | — | Record 5,973 transfers (+3% vs 2025); spending down 18% from 2025 but 20% above 2023 record |
| Global Women’s | $10+ million | — | First time crossing $10M in January; ~420 transfers (+85% spending vs 2025) |
Premier League transfers: Which club spent the most in January 2026?
January 2026 spending (amounts in millions)
| Place | Club | GBP (£M) | USD ($M) | EUR (€M) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manchester City | 84.0 | 113.8 | 96.8 |
| 2 | Crystal Palace | 83.0 | 112.4 | 95.7 |
| 3 | Tottenham Hotspur | 47.8 | 64.8 | 55.1 |
| 4 | West Ham United | 47.0 | 63.7 | 54.2 |
| 5 | Bournemouth | 36.5 | 49.4 | 42.1 |
| 6 | Aston Villa | 28.7 | 38.9 | 33.1 |
| 7 | Fulham | 27.0 | 36.6 | 31.1 |
| 8 | Sunderland | 23.6 | 32.0 | 27.2 |
| 9 | Brentford | 8.5 | 11.5 | 9.8 |
| 10 | Wolverhampton Wanderers | 7.0 | 9.5 | 8.1 |
Related –
FAQs – International Transfers in January Window
How many international transfers took place in January 2026?
FIFA reported a record 5,973 international transfers in men’s professional football during the January 2026 window.
Did transfer spending increase or decrease compared to last year?
Overall international transfer spending fell by around 18% compared to January 2025, but still remained above the previous record set in 2023.
Which country’s clubs spent the most in the January 2026 window?
English clubs were the biggest spenders, investing the most money on international transfers in men’s football.
What was special about the women’s transfer market in January 2026?
Women’s football saw record transfer fees, passing 10 million dollars for the first time in a January window, even though the number of deals slightly dropped.
Do FIFA’s numbers include domestic transfers?
No. FIFA’s report only covers international transfers between clubs from different countries, processed through its Transfer Matching System.
Why is the January 2026 window considered historic?
It set a new record for the number of international transfers (5,973) and marked a major milestone in investment in the women’s game, while keeping men’s spending at historically high levels.