FIFA to Pay WWC Prize Money to Players because of Super Falcons

The International football body, FIFA has made public its intention to deposit prize money into the winning players’ accounts at the current women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand.

According to FIFA, the prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup will now be given to the players

The FIFA secretary-general, Fatma Samoura, stated in a video that has gone viral on social media that the changes in policy was brought on by Nigerian outstanding allowance difficulties.

Randy Waldrum, the Super Falcons’ head coach, alleged prior to the competition that many of his players had not received “per diem and bonuses” from the previous year.

Samoura made this information known to the players on Monday in the team’s locker room at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium after their 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their last World Cup group match.

According to Samoura, “things have been tough” for the Nigerian women. In her statement:

“I am aware that times have been difficult. We must face Nigeria’s realities. It really hurts me.It is because of you (the Super Falcons) that for the first time in the history of FIFA the Women’s World Cup prize money will be paid directly to you, the players,”

Samoura said this in a video that went viral, posted by UK-based Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana.

For the first time ever, prize money for players is guaranteed by FIFA as part of its “huge investment in women’s football,” according to FIFA.

The total prize pool of US$110 million ($182 million) is more than three times the US$30 million ($49 million) that Fifa distributed as prizes for the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France.

The World Cup’s 732 players will each receive at least $30,000 in compensation, according to a prior statement from FIFA. The remuneration increases if teams do well, with the winning team’s players receiving $270,000 each.

The number of participating teams in this year’s World Cup has increased from 24 to 32 for the first time, while Australia and New Zealand are serving as co-hosts. The second round of group stage matches for the competition, which started on July 20th, are presently in progress.

This World Cup, players will have an added motivation to advance because FIFA increased the money given to players as bonuses for reaching specific rounds of the competition.

Many players will find the $30,000 payment to be a sizable payday given that ladies who play professionally earn an average annual salary of $14,000 in their respective countries.

The 2023 Women’s World Cup, which is being held in Australia and New Zealand, has already paid each Super Falcons player $90,000.

The Super Falcons, who had previously received $30,000 each as an appearance fee from FIFA, now get $120,000 apiece, with $30,000 paid during the Group Stage and $60,000 for the knockout stage.

The Super Falcons, who placed second in group B, have advanced to the round of 16. For the achievement, each team member will get at least $60,000.

In the meantime, the Super Falcons will play the Three Lionesses of England in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup’s second round.

Following a scoreless draw with the Republic of Ireland on Monday, Nigeria advanced to the competition’s round of sixteen.

Following Australia, the co-hosts, the Nigerian women’s team placed second after the outcome of their final Group B game.

The Three Lionesses, who took top place in Group A, will square off against the Super Falcons in the Round of 16 on Monday.

The Super Falcons, who have long fought for fair treatment and prompt payment, are given new hope and relief by FIFA’s decision to deliver the award money directly to the players. The Nigerian team is now more ready to concentrate on their impending second-round match against England on Monday with the knowledge that their labor of love would be rewarded.

Some people have praised this as good news because it represents a huge advancement towards female players earning the same as males. The total reward pool falls short in contrast to the sums received by teams at the 2022 men’s World Cup, so there is still work to be done.

Prior to the tournament’s first game, the Australian national team published a video decrying the persistent disparity in prize money between the women’s and men’s tournaments, emphasizing that women won “one quarter as much prize money for the same achievement.”

Women’s football continues to improve in terms of quality, reputation, and success, but there is still a financial gap between it and men’s football.