FA Agrees £1.7m Deal, More Than Double 2023 World Cup Bonus

The Football Association has reached a record-breaking agreement with the England women’s national team, offering a £1.7m bonus package if they retain their European Championship title this summer. The negotiations, which had reached an impasse, have concluded with the squad reportedly satisfied with the outcome.

The FA has increased its offer, more than doubling the amount the players received for reaching the World Cup final in Australia two years ago. While the exact amount each player will receive depends on their appearances and minutes played, the average bonus on offer if England wins the tournament is approximately £73,000. This is more than £18,000 above what they received after their historic triumph at Wembley three years ago.

The negotiations had been difficult, but all parties involved are said to be pleased with the end result, particularly that it was resolved before the squad began their European Championship preparations at St George’s Park this week. The announcement of Mary Earps’s international retirement has somewhat overshadowed the news, with the FA relieved that another potential distraction has been removed.

The FA initially resisted offering performance-related payments after Fifa introduced individual player fees for the first time, leading to a dispute that interrupted the Lionesses’ preparations for the World Cup two years ago. The matter was only resolved the month after they returned from the tournament, where England were beaten 1-0 in the final by Spain.

The governing body will also benefit financially if England has a successful tournament this summer, as Uefa has more than doubled the prize money available to the 16 competing countries to £34m, with the winners receiving £4.3m. The FA has equalized match fees for the men’s and women’s national teams, with all senior England players receiving around £2,000 per game, which is often donated to charities. However, bonus payments remain far apart due to the differing levels of prize money on offer.

England’s upcoming fixtures include a Uefa Nations League game against Portugal at Wembley on Friday, followed by a match against Spain in Barcelona next week. They will then face France on 5 July in a difficult game, followed by group matches against the Netherlands and Wales. The Lionesses are determined to defend their European title, and the record bonus package is a significant incentive for the players to perform at their best.

The FA’s decision to increase the bonus package is a welcome development for the women’s game, and demonstrates the governing body’s commitment to supporting the Lionesses. The record bonus package is a testament to the growing importance of women’s football, and the increasing recognition of the achievements of the England women’s national team.

In related news, Gareth Southgate’s men’s team would have shared a bonus pot of approximately £14m had they won last summer’s European Championship final against Spain. The disparity in bonus payments between the men’s and women’s teams is a long-standing issue, and the FA’s decision to increase the bonus package for the Lionesses is a step in the right direction towards greater equality.

The FA declined to comment on the record bonus package, but the news is likely to be welcomed by fans and players alike. As the Lionesses prepare to defend their European title, the record bonus package is a significant motivator for the players to perform at their best and bring home the trophy.