Much-needed payout grows to life-altering levels for tiny teams that advance in Women’s World Cup

MELBOURNE: Players who reached the knockout round at the Women’s World Cup got larger individual bonuses that are life-changing to many of them.

FIFA designated $30,000 for each of the 732 players among 32 teams in the tournament field. The payout rises to $60,000 for players on the 16 teams that advanced out of group play.

The money grows to $90,000 for players in the quarterfinals and its a significant payday for many of the players, particularly those that have had financial disputes with their federations over pay and support.

Hildah Magaia, appropriately nicknamed the “Breadwinner” of South Africa’s squad, helped the Banyana Banyana advance out of group play, into the knockout stage, and double her bonus.

She appropriately plans to use the money to care for her mother.

“I’ll be able to do everything for my mother because I’m the one who’s taking care of her,” she said. “I’m the breadwinner, so I’ll be doing everything for my mom.”

Deneisha Blackwood, part of the Jamaica squad eliminated by Colombia in the knockouts, called the payouts a good start for her team. Jamaica have had financial difficulties and needed a crowd-funding site to raise money for their travel to the tournament.

“Obviously we as players have a life outside of football and I think prize money, like that rewards us in ways we can’t imagine. A lot of us have bills to pay and family to take care of,” said Blackwood said, “and I think for the younger generation, especially, football doesn’t make you a lot of money. So for (girls) to see us doing what we love and realize that you can make a living off it, I think it’s very motivational.”

No one can ensure all the players will receive their guaranteed bonuses.

The global players union, FIFPRO,