Asisat Oshoala, the Super Falcons forward, has expressed her delight over the financial rewards FIFA is putting in place for the Women’s World Cup. Oshoala believes that the new payment structure devised by FIFA will serve as a motivation for players participating in the tournament.
FIFA has introduced a new payment system for the Women’s World Cup, ensuring that each player will take home at least $30,000 from the tournament. Additionally, the winning team’s 23 members are guaranteed $270,000, as part of a $110m total prize pool.
Oshoala stated, “I’m happy things are beginning to change, and players don’t have to be dependent on their federations for income from World Cup appearances alone. It really is interesting to see such development because it will serve as a motivation to the players.”
The Super Falcons have been in the public eye previously after protests by players relating to unpaid bonuses and allowances at continental and global tournaments. At the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, the Nigeria players threatened a sit-in protest over unpaid salaries and bonuses after their elimination by Germany.
Oshoala added, “It’s not always a good look to stage protests because all the players want to do is focus on the football.”
The new payment structure introduced by FIFA is a significant step towards addressing the financial challenges that female footballers face. With this development, players can focus on their performance on the pitch without worrying about their financial situation. It’s a win-win situation for both players and the game itself.
