England’s footballers and coaching staff are poised to receive nearly half of the FA’s £38 million FIFA prize money in bonuses if they secure victory in the World Cup.
Sources reveal that as part of a bonus arrangement established with the players’ leadership group before the tournament, the FA is prepared to distribute approximately £15 million to the squad, £3 million to head coach Thomas Tuchel, and around £1 million to his support team, contingent on Harry Kane lifting the trophy in New York next weekend.
This potential bonus pool for the players is more than double what they would have been awarded had they claimed the World Cup title in Qatar four years ago.
Insiders indicate that Tuchel’s squad owes a degree of gratitude to their female counterparts for the FA’s generosity. The England Lionesses publicly expressed their grievances with the FA prior to the 2023 Women’s World Cup due to the lack of a satisfactory bonus scheme. Initially, the governing body was reluctant to enhance incentives beyond the individual prize money, which amounted to £200,000 for the winners.
The dispute was ultimately resolved following the tournament, which concluded with England losing to Spain in the final. After the Lionesses secured substantial bonuses, the FA responded by increasing the financial incentives available to the men’s team, who also benefited from FIFA’s significant raise in prize money allocated to national associations.
Prize money has surged by 50% compared to the 2022 tournament, reaching $655 million (£488 million). However, this amount must now be divided among 48 associations instead of the previous 32, with the champions receiving $50 million, a rise from $32 million four years prior.
The FA is already assured of approximately $19 million due to England’s advancement to the quarter-finals, with about half of this sum destined for the players and staff regardless of the outcome in Saturday’s quarter-final match against Norway.
The precise amount allocated to each player will vary based on their time on the field, although if divided equally, it would amount to £577,000 per player.
Additionally, players receive an appearance fee of £2,000 for each match played; however, under a historic agreement, these payments are donated to charity. Consequently, over £5 million has been accumulated for charitable causes through the England Footballers Foundation since 2007.
The FA has been approached for comment.
