By Daniel Edu

FIFA, the world football governing body, has taken a significant step to ensure that the Super Falcons of Nigeria receive their rightful prize money from the 2023 Women’s World Cup. In a recent development, FIFA has changed the payment method for the tournament’s prize money, directing that it be paid directly into the players’ bank accounts.

This decision was made to safeguard the players’ entitlement and prevent any potential embezzlement or tampering by stakeholders in the players’ country. The move comes in light of the unpaid allowances owed to the Super Falcons by the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

On August 1, 2023, a video surfaced online featuring FIFA Secretary-General, Fatma Samoura, confirming this change directly to the Super Falcons. She acknowledged the challenges faced by the Nigerian team and expressed her sympathy for their situation. Samoura pledged to closely monitor the payment process to ensure that all match bonuses reach the players without any hindrance.

For the first time in FIFA’s history, the prize money has been ring-fenced specifically to ensure that it goes directly to the Super Falcons. As a result, the $30,000 earned by the team in the group stage and the additional $30,000 earned for qualifying for the 2023 Women’s World Cup round of 16 will be paid directly into the bank accounts of each player.

Should the Nigerian team manage to advance past England in the quarter-finals on August 7, they will earn an additional $30,000 each, bringing their total earnings in the tournament to $90,000 per player. This move by FIFA aims to provide fair and transparent remuneration for the players, recognizing their efforts and accomplishments in the Women’s World Cup.