Five Ghanaian clubs, namely Hearts of Oak, Asante Kotoko, King Faisal, Dreams FC, and Steadfast FC, are set to share over $500,000 for their players’ participation in the 2022 World Cup held in Qatar.
These clubs were represented by goalkeeper Ibrahim Danlad (Asante Kotoko and King Faisal), Daniel Afriyie Barnieh (Hearts of Oak), and Abdul Fatawu Issahaku (Dreams FC and Steadfast FC). Although Danlad and Issahaku were officially registered with Asante Kotoko and Sporting respectively during the World Cup, King Faisal, Dreams, and Steadfast FC will also benefit as the players had stints with these clubs during the qualification period.
The funds being distributed to the Ghanaian clubs are part of the $209 million allocated by FIFA for the tournament. FIFA has rewarded 440 clubs from 51 countries with payments from its $7.5 billion income for the four-year commercial cycle, primarily tied to the 2022 men’s tournament.
Each player’s allocation was calculated at a daily rate of $10,950 for their duration in Qatar, until the day after their team’s last game. The amount was then divided among the clubs where the players were registered during the 2020-21 season.
In addition to the Ghanaian clubs, Egyptian giants Al Ahly and Zamalek received over $650,000, while Moroccan clubs Raja Club Athletic and Wydad Casablanca received over $1 million. Morocco’s impressive performance, reaching the semi-finals of the World Cup, made them the first African country to achieve this feat.
Tunisian clubs Club African, CS Sfaxien, Esperance Tunis, Etoile Sportive Du Sahel, and US Monastir shared over $1 million, while Senegal and Cameroon received over $40,000 and over $400,000 respectively.
On the global scale, Manchester City topped the list for the second consecutive World Cup, earning almost $4.6 million. Barcelona followed closely, earning $4.54 million, which included $131,405 for Lionel Messi’s time with the club in the 2020-21 season before his move to Paris Saint-Germain.
The financial rewards received by the Ghanaian clubs will undoubtedly provide a significant boost to their development programs and further support the growth of football in the country.