Nigeria Premier League

2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Winner to get $4 million prize money

When the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup opens in Australia and New Zealand on July 20, the lasses representing 32 countries across the globe, including the Super Falcons of Nigeria, will not only be playing for gong and glory but for big bucks for the first time.

This FIFA Women’s World Cup is the ninth edition that has huge performance-related bonuses to be paid directly to the players and the participating countries. Consequently, we should expect the ladies to play with more gusto than ever before.

Launched in 1991 in Sweden, the FIFA Women World Cup, true to prediction, has grown in leaps and bounds since former FIFA President Joseph Blatter audaciously predicted a decade ago that “the future of football will be feminine.”

“This [expanding the women’s game] is one of my projects,” said Blatter, who left office under the cloud in 2015, in an interview broadcast on Al Jazeera in 2013. “The future of football will be feminine.

“We have shown that now, all around the world, girls and women can play football; so we are investing a lot in women’s football,” the Swiss added.

If Blatter’s FIFA can be credited with laying the foundation for what women’s football is today, his successor, Gianni Infantino, who was elected as FIFA President in 2016 and re-elected in 2019 and in March 2023, will forever be remembered as the modernizer of women’s football.

While there has been prize money at the Men’s FIFA World Cup since 1982, the first edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup to feature prize money was China 2007, where USD 6.4 million was shelled out.

Ever since, there has been marked progression so much so that USD 50 million was paid across board at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, but it has tripled this term with a staggering USD 152 million plus USD 110 million as performance-based fund for all the teams at this finals in Australia and New Zealand.

“FIFA is making a huge investment in women’s football, and for the first time ever, we are guaranteeing prize money for players,” the soccer ruling body said in a statement. “The decision of FIFA to pay 30 percent of World Cup funds to women’s football is a right step in the right direction, because, over the years, women’s football has suffered poor funding, which negatively affected the development of the gender aspect of the game.

“This move will give the game a better opportunity to develop in all areas.

“With this, women’s footballers can be exposed to series of programmes that will enable them reach desired height in the game, as the various federations across the world will be enabled to engage a number of developmental programmes which will boost the women’s game.”

While the rest of the world especially in Europe, Oceania and America has since made the women’s game the beautiful bride with guaranteed funding and sponsorship, Africa is yet to reach such golden heights.

Whereas the prize money at the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 was €16 million euros, just a paltry USD 2.4 million was the prize money for the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, for instance.

Yet, according to FIFA, the decision to make more money available to women’s football, starting with this 2023 Women’s World Cup finals, would most definitely serve as motivation to women’s football; after all, “women have been limited in various areas due to paucity of funds. “Hence more accruable money will help boost the women’s game in several ways.” Besides, each player in each of the 32 teams at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will take home at least $30,000 USD from the tournament, even as all the 23 members of the winning team is guaranteed $270,000 USD as part of a $110m total prize pool.

“This decision will bring the women’s game in Africa close to what it is in Europe, America and the Oceania,” FIFA stated boldly. “It will also encourage the players stay back on the African continent to help develop the game instead of running outside the continent to play in the more lucrative and better organised foreign leagues.

“With better funding, African teams can be more technical in the game and won’t fall easily to the more technical foreign teams.

“African teams will now have more confidence to rub shoulders with the foreign teams and now see them as equals in the game, as the better development will enable the African teams win in bigger tournaments.”

Since their Euros triumph, England suffered their first loss under Sarina Wiegman following a 2-0 defeat to Australia and drew their most recent fixture when playing an at home friendly against Portugal. However, they are still huge favourites at this year’s competition despite the significant injury concerns which have pervaded the Lioness camp.

Millie Bright will be captaining the side following the confirmation that Leah Williamson suffered an ACL injury and will now be out for several months.

Ahead of this year’s hotly anticipated competition, this year’s FIFA Congress saw President Gianni Infantino pledge his intention for equal prize money by the 2027 Women’s World Cup. This news came after major concerns had been raised by players about the pay disparity ahead of this year’s world Cup and, in addition, female players have been lobbying their global union FIFPRO to push FIFA for equal pay.

While equal prize money will not be seen in a couple of weeks’ time, here is all you need to know about what the Women’s World Cup winners are set to win later in August…

What is the tournament prize money?
The FIFA Congress announced that the 2023 Women’s World Cup prize money would be increased up to $110 million (£84m). This figure has increased significantly from the $30 million that was seen in 2019 but that is still considerably less than what has been seen at the men’s World Cup.

The extra finance means there will be an additional $40 million for team preparation money and for the clubs who release players.

During the time this new proposed figure was announced, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “As a father of four beautiful daughters, I know how much attention we need to give women. Women deserve much, much more than that and we are there to fight for them and with them.”

Prize money breakdown:

Winners: $4 million
Runners-up: £2.6 million
Third place: $2 million
Fourth place: $1.6 million
5th-8th place: $1.45 million
9th-16th place: $1 million
17th-24th place: $750,000

What did Men’s World Cup 2022 winners earn?
The prize fund for the Men’s World Cup in Qatar was $440 million (over £365m). This was an increase of $40 million compared to the 2018 tournament and nearly a $100m increase on what was on offer at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil. Argentina won $42 million for their efforts in Qatar while runners-up, France, earned $38 million.

When is the Women’s World Cup?
The tournament will start with New Zealand facing Norway on Thursday 20 July at 8am BST and Australia facing Republic of Ireland later that day at 11am. England’s first fixture will take place at 10.30am on Saturday 22 July with 32 nations bidding for a place in the grand finale on Sunday 20 August at 11am BST.

BBC and ITV will be sharing the coverage after a controversial debate saw Infantino threaten to withhold the broadcasting rights altogether.

Nigeria Premier League

How GTI Facilitated Radio Commentaries Deal Between NPFL And FRCN

Strategic partners to the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL), GTI Asset Management and Trust Limited has successfully facilitated a partnership deal between the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria (FRCN) and managers of the elite league in the area of live radio commentaries during matchday activities.

GTI Head of Media and Publicity, Andrew Ekejiuba, broke the cheery news to reporters following the successful signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between both parties in Abuja on Thursday March 27, 2025.

During the signing of the MoU, the NPFL Board chairman Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye described the partnership deal between both parties as a game-changer initiative aimed at further enhancing the popularity of the top-tier League in the country and beyond.

“The return of regular live radio commentary on FRCN, the largest Radio Network in Africa is a heartwarming initiative because it is a sure channel to bring the magic of the ever-improving NPFL to as many homes, cars and football-loving Nigerians.

“This collaboration which is largely a corporate social responsibility of Radio Nigeria was agreed because of their unbeatable reach and reputation over the years,” he said.

In his response the Director General of the Federal Radio Corporation of Nigeria, Dr. Mohammed Bulama an ardent follower of sports and football in particular, said he was pleased that live commentaries of Nigeria Premier Football League are back on the Network Service during his time at the corporation.

Also present at the occasion was the Executive Director of GTI Group, Mr Nelson Ine, who used the occasion to thank both parties for reaching a decision that aims to add value to the fast-rising elite league.

“Today marks another milestone in GTI’s quest in giving the NPFL a new lease of life. The step taken today has added value to the NPFL project because it has given more Nigerians the opportunity to listen to live commentaries of our elite league by bringing it to the doorsteps of our citizens.

“GTI remains committed to improving our league and adding value to it. We are all delighted today because history has been made and we hope Corporate Nigeria will use this golden opportunity to support the project via sponsorship and utilising it for their brand visibility,” he said.

It is expected that the deal will last till the end of the 2024/2025 NPFL season and will be renewed the following season for continuity.

Nigeria Premier League

NPFL: No Respite For Abdallah Yet As Kano Pillars Extend Suspension Of Technical Adviser

The Management of Kano Pillars FC, under the leadership of Chairman Alhaji Ali Muhammad Umar, has extended the suspension of its Technical Adviser, Usman Abdallah, until after the Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) Match Day 28 fixture against Kwara United.

This decision was reached during a management meeting held on Sunday at the Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata.

The extension follows a request from the committee set up to investigate the matter, chaired by the club’s Disciplinary Committee Chairman, Alhaji Muhammad Danjuma Gwarzo, which is yet to conclude its findings.

As a result, Chief Coach Ahmed Garba Yaro Yaro will continue to lead the team in the upcoming fixtures against Akwa United on Wednesday, Rangers International at the weekend, and Kwara United on Match Day 28, pending further decisions regarding Abdallah’s return.

The club remains committed to upholding professionalism and discipline as it continues its campaign in the Nigeria Premier Football League.

Nigeria Premier League

Rangers Edge Remo Stars, Heartland Pip Shooting Stars in Dramatic Ties

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

The Nigeria Premier Football League (NPFL) matchday 24 fixtures were concluded on Sunday with three games spread across the country.

The ties produced some thrilling encounters, with Rangers International FC and Heartland FC securing crucial victories over Remo Stars FC and Shooting Stars Sports Club respectively.

Rangers edge Remo Stars

Rangers International FC secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Remo Stars FC at the Nnamdi Azikiwe Stadium on Sunday.

Midfielder Saviour Isaac opened the scoring for Rangers in the 30th minute, expertly converting a free kick from outside the 18-yard box.

Rangers doubled their lead in the 48th minute, courtesy of a well-crafted goal involving CHAN Eagles’ Kenneth Igboke and Kingsley Maduforo.

Remo Stars reduced the deficit in the 85th minute, through Sikiru Alimi but it was too little too late to salvage the outcome of the match.

Despite the loss, Remo Stars maintained their lead on the log with 48 points, while Rangers moved up to fourth position with 38 points.

Late Drama in Owerri

Heartland FC of Owerri secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Shooting Stars Sports Club (3SC) of Ibadan at the Dan Anyiam Stadium on Sunday.

Chukwuma Agor had opened the scoring for Heartland in the 31st minute, but the Oluyole Warriors equalised through a penalty kick in the 81st minute.

However, Heartland were awarded another penalty kick in the dying minutes of the game, which John Bassey successfully converted, despite initial controversy surrounding the referee’s decision.

Despite suffering back-to-back losses, Shooting Stars remained second on the log with 40 points from 24 matches.

Other result

In another match played on Sunday, Bendel Insurance secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Niger Tornadoes.

The concluding results of the matchday 24 encounters have shuffled the NPFL standings, setting the stage for more thrilling encounters in the coming weeks.

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