Sports

How Eagles Lost N4.5bn World Cup Money

Published

3 years ago

October 6, 2022

The Qatar 2022 World Cup is already building, with just 45 days to the biggest global football festival draws near.

In search of its seventh World Cup appearance ticket, the Super Eagles were knocked out by bitter rivals Black Stars of Ghana in the final African qualifiers for the Mundial.

An early goal from Thomas Partey in Abuja was enough to secure the Ghanaians’ place in Qatar, as they beat Nigeria 1-1 on aggregate on the away goal rule.

William Troost-Ekong’s penalty was not enough to stop the Black Stars from recording a famous result on enemy territory, with aggrieved going berserk and wreaking havoc on facilities at the newly renovated Moshood Abiola National Stadium.

The failure is still very fresh in the hearts of millions of football-loving Nigerian fans who follow the Eagles passionately.

And while Nigerians continue to lament their non-qualification, there will be plenty of money on the line at the World Cup in Qatar.

While the focus for a lot of teams will be on lifting the iconic trophy and representing their nations well, there is definitely a tangible benefit for success on the pitch.

FIFA haven’t held back when it comes to prize money for World Cups in recent years, and 2022 is no different — with huge sums up for grabs.

The football body has allocated $440m in prize money for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

This is an increase of $40m compared to the 2018 tournament, while just $358m in prize money was on offer at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

While a very significant sum, FIFA have a revenue budget of $4.6bn in 2022, with broadcasting rights set to contribute $2.6bn alone in income.

With so much prize money on offer, every side will walk away from Qatar significantly richer.

With the country’s failure to qualify for the World Cup, the players and the Nigeria Football Federation will, sadly, be missing out on FIFA’s largesse, which runs into billions of naira.

As the key part of any successful team, players also benefit financially from featuring at a World Cup.

While base salaries differ between national teams and for different players, they do get a share of whatever prize money their team walks away with.

FIFA allows each team to decide what share players receive. For instance, Germany promised to give each of their players a near $400,000 bonus had they lifted the title on home soil in 2006.

In 2022, Australia has reportedly pledged to pay each of its players AU$226,000 with an extra $290,000 to be paid if they reach the knockout stages.

Other nations are likely to offer a bit more or less than this amount to their players, depending on each federation’s financial situation.

PUNCH Sports Extra takes a look at the cost implication of Nigeria missing out on the biggest and money-spinning football event.

According to The PUNCH, Simply qualifying for the World Cup sees each team paid a $1.5m (N648m) participation fee. But once at the tournament, sides will make much larger sums by progressing through the knockout stages.

Teams who get knocked out from the group stage are entitled to $9m while those who reach the round of 16 get $13m.

So, if the Eagles were to exit the stage in Qatar in the group stage, they would have received an extra $9m (N3.8bn), meaning qualification and group stage ouster would have fetched the three-time African champions a total of $10.5m (N4.5bn).

For a football sector that runs cap in hand to government for funding, this isn’t cheery news at all, as the World Cup money would have gone a long way in settling debts, owed players allowances and the unending financial crisis that has forever rocked the NFF.

An economist, Abiola Rasaq, said the opportunity cost for Nigeria not playing in Qatar went beyond the cash reward.

“It includes both the implicit and explicit cost,” Rasaq stated. “There are social and economic benefits of participating in such a global event, including opportunities for Nigerian brands to showcase their products to the global audience, as well as an opportunity for us to showcase our local talents, some of whom may be lucky to sign transformational deals for their careers.

“There are also social engagement benefits at the local level and opportunities for strengthening diplomatic relations at the international level.

“So, it’s really sad that Nigeria missed the 2022 World Cup, but we have to remain optimistic about our team and look forward to strong prospects in the continental African Cup of Nations and future World Cups.”

Mutiu Adepoju, a member of the Super Eagles squads at the 1994, 1998 and 2022 World Cups lamented the Eagles’ failure to make their seventh World Cup appearance following the financial losses.

“Any cash inflow of that amount is supposed to be a good thing for Nigerian football development, but unfortunately, we are not playing at the World Cup and won’t enjoy the financial benefit,” Adepoju said.

Ifeanyi Udeze, who represented Nigeria at the 2022 World Cup, added, “Once you qualify for the World Cup, FIFA gives $9m for the group stage.

“It’s a pity Nigeria did not qualify for the World Cup and we missed such big money, it’s a lot of money. The money would have gone a long way, even if it is to organise grassroots football.

“I’m very sure that the players are not happy because they missed out on the money too, the federation. But our priority, for now, is to get our house to make sure we qualify for the next World Cup.”

Azubuike Egwuekwe, a former Eagles defender and member of the 2014 World Cup side, said over-dependence on overseas-based players cost Nigeria the 2022 World Cup ticket.

“It’s a big disappointment that Nigeria will not be at the World Cup in Qatar and thus miss out on the estimated N4.5bn qualification and group stage prize money, but the truth is that the Eagles did not take their qualifying games against Ghana seriously,” the former Warri Wolves captain said.

“I speak based on my experience. During our time in the national team, we had a couple of home-based players in the team that had not earned that kind of money in their careers with their clubs. We were very hungry to play and get to the World Cup, but today, almost all the players in the Eagles play in Europe, they are relaxed and the hunger for success was not there in our games against Ghana, that was what cost us the World Cup ticket.”

He advised that football authorities to focus more on the local leagues and fish out talented and hungry players willing and committed to wearing the national jersey.

“We should encourage our local league players because the league is going down. If late coach Stephen Keshi did not recognise local league players, perhaps nobody would have known me or the likes of Ruben Gabriel, Godfrey Oboabona, Ejike Uzoenyi and others. We have to encourage the local league players and mix them with the overseas-based players, then the team will be hungry to play.”

“I remember when I returned to play for Rivers United for a year, I saw a lot of talents in the Nigeria Professional Football League, but I was surprised that I did not see them in the qualifiers.”

Sports

JUST IN: Dembélé Named FIFA Best Men’s Player, Bonmatí Wins Women’s Award

Published

20 hours ago

December 16, 2025

Editor

Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé has been awarded the FIFA Best Men’s Player for 2025, following a season in which he contributed significantly to both his club and the France national team.

Dembélé, known for his pace, creativity, and goal-scoring ability, played a central role in Paris Saint-Germain’s campaigns across domestic and European competitions. His performances for the national team also helped France secure notable results in international fixtures.

Speaking on the recognition, Dembélé said, “It is a great honour to receive this award. I could not have achieved this without my teammates at PSG and in the national team, whose support has been invaluable.”

In the women’s category, Barcelona midfielder Aitana Bonmatí was named FIFA Best Women’s Player for 2025. Bonmatí was influential in Barcelona’s domestic and European campaigns, providing leadership, vision, and creativity in midfield. She also played a key role in Spain’s international successes.

“This award reflects the hard work of my teammates and coaches,” Bonmatí said. “I am grateful for their guidance and support throughout the season.”

The announcements reaffirm FIFA’s recognition of individual excellence in football while highlighting the contributions of players to both club and country.

Sports

Court Fixes Date To Hear Sala Compensation Dispute

Published

1 week ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

A commercial court examining the long-running dispute between Cardiff City and French club Nantes over compensation for the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash said Monday it would give its decision on March 30 next year.

Sala, a 28-year-old Argentine striker, died when the light aircraft taking him to the Welsh capital came down in the English Channel on January 21, 2019, two days after he had signed for the then-Premier League side. He and pilot David Ibbotson were killed.

The Welsh club took the case to the Nantes commercial court in 2023 to claim compensation for loss of income and other damages suffered by the club as a result of the player’s death.

Following an analysis conducted by an expert appointed by Cardiff City, the club estimated their losses at over 120 million euros ($139.5 million). Lawyers for both clubs made their cases at Monday’s hearing.

The Welsh club argue that Nantes, through their intermediary, agent Willie McKay, were the organisers of the private flight on which the footballer was travelling and that, if the transfer was effective at the time of the accident according to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), it is the organisation of this flight that is at issue.

Cardiff City’s lawyer, Olivier Loizon, told the court Monday, Willie McKay “could not have been unaware of the illegality of the flight”, and argued that the agent had acted with “negligence”.

“Whatever the ultimate cause of the accident, (Sala) should not have been on the flight,” he added.

Nantes’ lawyer, Jerome Marsaudon, insisted Monday the only agent authorised by the club in connection with the transfer was Mark McKay, the son of Willie McKay.

The elder McKay “was simply helping his son, given his extensive experience”, the lawyer said.

“It is sad to see that Cardiff have exploited this tragedy and turned it into a genuine legal farce,” he added. “Nothing in this case justifies holding FC Nantes liable.”

Prior to the start of the hearing, a Nantes representative said the club “have no doubt that Cardiff’s claims will be rejected outright, just like all the others”.

In another case related to the dispute between the two clubs, CAS ruled in 2022 that Sala’s transfer had definitely been finalised at the time of his death.

In 2023, world football’s governing body FIFA ordered Cardiff to pay Nantes the balance of Sala’s transfer fee, which at the time amounted to just over 11 million euros out of a total of 17 million euros.

Sports

Salah A ‘Disgrace’ For Liverpool Outburst – Carragher

Published

1 week ago

December 9, 2025

Editor

Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher labelled Mohamed Salah “a disgrace” on Monday after the Egypt star’s stunning outburst at Reds boss Arne Slot.

Salah said he had been “thrown under a bus” and had no relationship with Slot after he was left on the bench for last Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Leeds.

It was the third successive game that Salah had been kept out of the starting line-up by Slot amid the forward’s loss of form this season.

In response to Salah’s astonishing rant to reporters, Liverpool axed the 33-year-old from the squad for Tuesday’s Champions League clash at Inter Milan.

Speaking on Sky Sports’ Monday Night Football, Carragher, a 2005 Champions League winner with Liverpool, said: “I thought it was a disgrace what he did after the game.

“Some people have painted it as an emotional outburst. I don’t think it was. I think whenever Mo Salah stops in a mixed zone, which he has done four times in eight years at Liverpool, it’s choreographed with his agent to cause maximum damage and strengthen his own position.

“He’s chosen this weekend to do this now, and he’s waited I think for a bad result… everyone involved with the club (feeling) like they’re in the gutter, and he’s chosen that time to go for the manager and maybe try to get him sacked.”

Salah is a two-time Premier League champion with Liverpool and has also won the Champions League during his iconic eight-year spell at Anfield.

But, although he only signed a new contract in April, Salah hinted he might have played his last game for Liverpool as he prepares to jet off to the African Cup of Nations after their Premier League clash with Brighton at Anfield on Saturday.

Salah has been linked with a lucrative move to the Saudi Pro League and and Carragher added: “What he’s done off the pitch, I think the club have made the right decision in terms of him not going abroad. Whether he will play for Liverpool again, I don’t know.

“I hope he does, because he’s one of the greatest players we’ve ever had, but if you continue like that, and statements like that, if he doesn’t play, who knows.”