2023 Women’s World Cup: Nigerian players to get prize money directly from FIFA

Nigeria players pose for a group photo before the start of the Australia and New Zealand 2023 Women’s World Cup Group B football match between Ireland and Nigeria at Brisbane Stadium in Brisbane on July 31, 2023. (Photo by Patrick Hamilton / AFP)

The Super Falcons of Nigeria will get their prize money for participating in the 2023 Women’s World Cup directly from the Federation of Internationale Football Association (FIFA).

FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura disclosed this to the Nigerian women’s team on Monday in their dressing room at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium following their 0-0 draw with the Republic of Ireland in their final group game of the World Cup.

“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 in a video posted by UK-based Nigerian journalist, Osasu Obayiuwana.

Obayiuwana also said that he was told by FIFA’s director for Africa, Gelson Fernandes, that Samoura who will be leaving her position with football’s international governing body in a few months has given him the mandate to ensure that the money is received by the players.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino had earlier said the payments would go to the individual federations who are expected to pay the players.

Infantino, however, did not indicate that the players will be paid directly by FIFA.

FIFA had previously confirmed that the 732 players participating in the World Cup will be paid at least $30,000 each. The paycheck rises if teams do well, with each player for the winning team earning $270,000.

The $30,000 payment is a significant payday for many players: The average annual salary worldwide for women who play professionally