World Cup prize money to be paid directly to players – FIFA

The prize money for the 2023 World Cup will be given to the players directly, according to a FIFA announcement.

The FIFA secretary-general, Fatma Samoura, said in a social media video that the Super Falcons of Nigeria had unpaid allowance concerns as a result of the policy change.

It will be recalled that leading to the World Cup, Randy Waldrum, Falcons head coach, revealed that some players are owed “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago.

The development caused a stir and almost affected the preparation of the Nigerian players.

However, in the video, Samoura acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons.

She added that FIFA, for the first time, will monitor that match bonuses get to the players directly.

“I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria. It pains me a lot. It is because of you [the Super Falcons] that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” the FIFA secretary-general said.

FIFA had announced that every player participating in the World Cup group stage will earn $30,000.

The match bonuses will increase to $60,000 in the second round of the competition.

The Falcons, who placed second in group B, have advanced to the round of 16, and each member of the team will receive at least $60,000 as compensation. Nigeria is scheduled to play England in the second round on Monday.