FIFA says it will ensure World Cup prize money gets to players

FIFA has announced that it will ensure the 2023 World Cup prize money gets to the players — without interference from a third party.

In a viral video on social media, Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general, said the policy change is due to unpaid allowance issues involving Nigeria’s Super Falcons.

During the lead-up 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.

“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 have qualified for the round of 16 after finishing second in group B. Every player on the team will be earning at least $60,000 for the feat.

Nigeria is billed to take on England in the second-round contest on Monday.

Editor’s note: The original story suggested that FIFA will pay the money directly to the players. However, what FIFA said was that it will ensure the money is “ring-fenced” so it can get to the players.