When FIFA announced the prize money pool for the 2018 FIFA World Cup which is set to take place in Russia, it was a fight on the pitch for African teams but only five teams namely Nigeria,Morocco,Tunisia,Senegal and Egypt managed to qualify as Africa(CAF) representatives.
The prize money is mind boggling especially to African teams that have never qualified for the FIFA World Cup semi-finals since its inception albeit knowing well even if they only participate they go home monied.
For Starters $791 million funds are allocated for total contribution to the participants of the tournament. Thats 40% increase in the total contribution compared to 2014 World Cup where total contribution was $564 million.
Each of the five African representatives were paid $1.5 million as preparations fees in addition to the $500,000 grant from CAF.If they are eliminated in the group stage each of the African teams will go home with a cool $8 million each with First knockout stage losing teams will get $12 million each while quarterfinal losers get $16 million.
Fourth Placed team gets $22 million, third place $24 million, losing finalists pocket $28 million and the winners will take home as much as $38 million.
All this monies come Out of 791 million allocated for 2018 World Cup $400 million will be used as prize money pool to be awarded to 32 teams according to how they finish in the tournament. While $209 million will be used for Club Benefit Programme (for clubs who release their players for world cup). The remaining $134 million will be insurance fee for clubs who players get injured during world cup.
Below table shows the difference between expected prize money payouts in FIFA World Cup 2018 and what was paid in 2014 world cup in Brazil.
| STAGE | 2018 WC PRIZE MONEY | 2014 WC PRIZE MONEY |
| Preparation Fee for 32 qualified teams | $1.5 million each | $1 million each |
| Group Stage (16 eliminated teams) | $8 million each | $8 million each |
| Round of 16 (8 eliminated teams) | $12 million each | $9 million each |
| Quarterfinal (4 losing sides) | $16 million each | $14 million each |
| Fourth Place Team | $22 million | $18 million |
| Third Place Team | $24 million | $20 million |
| Runners-up | $28 million | $25 million |
| Winners | $38 million | $35 million |
| Player Insurance fee | $134 million | $100 million |
| player by player payments to parent clubs | $209 million | $170 million |
FIFA World Cup Prize Money History: Over the last 5 world cups FIFA has increased the prize money with every tournament. Back in 2002 total prize money pool for World Cup was $154 followed by $262 million in 2006 World Cup. $420 million in world cup 2010 followed by biggest increase in 2014 world cup when FIFA handed out $564 million in prize money, insurance and payments to clubs.
