The Super Falcons have even more reasons to celebrate as each player in the team is now $60,000 (N46,432,300.38) richer following their impressive qualification for the round of 16 at the ongoing Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

Unbeaten qualification

The Nigerian female national team demonstrated their prowess, securing a spot in the round of 16 without losing a game in a challenging group. Their group comprised co-hosts Australia, reigning Olympic champions Canada, and debutants Republic of Ireland.

The Falcons secured a goalless draw against Canada in their first match and achieved a surprising 3-2 win over Australia in their second game. Their third group game ended in another goalless draw against Republic of Ireland, securing their second-place finish behind the co-hosts.

Increasing rewards with progress

Their qualification for the first knockout stage of the World Cup ensured that each member of the squad gained an additional $30,000 from FIFA.

FIFA announced in June that for the first time since the Women’s World Cup’s inception in 1991, every player featuring in the tournament would be paid $30,000 directly by FIFA.

FIFA’s revised payment systems ensures that the financial rewards increase as the teams progress in the tournament. Each player in the round of 16 will receive $60,000, and those who make it to the quarter-final will receive $90,000 each, The reward for the fourth-placed team is $165,000 per player.

Medalists’ bonanza

The reward for medalists are even more enticing. Each member of the bronze medal-winning team will receive $180,000, while players in the silver medal-winning team will be awarded $195,000 each. The eventual winners of the 2023 Women’s World Cup will see each of their players take home a total of $270,000.

Earnings in Naira

Converting the earnings to Nigeria’s Naira at N773.871673 per dollar, each player who qualified for the round of 16 will receive over N46m. If they manage to advance to the quarter-final stage, each player will get N69,648,450.56. This could increase to N127,688,826.045 per player for a fourth-place finish.

If the Falcons manage to finish third at the World Cup, each player is guaranteed to earn N139,296,901.14. A place in the final guarantees at least N150,904,976.23 for each Super Falcons player, while becoming the first African team to win either the men’s or women’s version of the senior World Cup would see each member of the victorious Super Falcons side receive N208,945,351.71.

Historic prize pool

FIFA’s increased prize pool 0f $100m for the Women’s World Cup represents a historic for female football players. It is more than three times the $30m prize fund FIFA paid out at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. A report released by FIFA last year showed that the average salary for female players was $14,000 a year.

Player’s perspective

Falcons defender Michelle Alozie, who plays for Houston Dash in the National Women’s Soccer League in the US, expressed her delight, stating, “That is a lot of money, and it can be used for a lot of things. I know definitely a lot of my teammates are happy for that money. I’m definitely happy for that money.”