The Philippine women’s football team. —PFF PHOTO
The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) welcomed the decision of Fifa to hand out huge cash incentives for the Filipinas and other participants of next month’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Fifa announced Thursday that all 732 players, including those who will make the Filipinas squad for women’s football’s biggest showpiece, will each get at least $30,000 (P1.68 million), part of a 300-percent increase from the total pot handed out in the 2019 edition.
“It’s actually good for the players,” PFF president Nonong Araneta told the Inquirer when asked about a story written by a wire service detailing Fifa’s announcement.
“At least all of the players will be receiving $30,000 each, whether you’ve qualified for the next round or not,” added Araneta.
Fifa president Gianni Infantino promised last March that a portion of the guaranteed money for the competition slated July 20 to Aug. 20 should be given to the players.
The incentives should be a huge motivation for members of the Filipinas vying for slots in the country’s maiden World Cup appearance.
Perhaps benefiting from Fifa’s decision are players who are currently unattached or are not with professional clubs overseas.
The PFF, meanwhile, stands to receive a minimum of $1.56 million (P87 million), the smallest figure that can be given to teams that made the group stage, according to a Reuters article.
Each member of the team that ends up winning the Women’s World Cup is going to receive $270,000 (P15.2 million).