Sports Ministry confirms receipt of $10.5 million from FIFA as 2022 World Cup prize money

The Minister for Sports, Mustapha Ussif, has confirmed the receipt of $10.5 million as prize money from the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

“The GFA has written to the ministry that FIFA has transferred the prize money of the 2022 World Cup to the FA,” he said.

Out of this amount, $1.5 million was disbursed by FIFA for the preparation of the senior national team before the tournament while the remaining $9 million was awarded for their participation in the group stages.

The minister revealed this at a press briefing at the Ministry of Information on Wednesday, July 26.

He explained how the funds would be used.

“We have precedent. In the 2006 World Cup, when the prize money came, there was a portion that was given to the FA for sports development and infrastructure development, and a portion was sent to the consolidated fund.

“Then, in 2010, the government invested in the team, so when the prize money came, everything was taken by the government.

“In 2014, when the prize money came, some was given to the FA for their participation in the AFCON in 2015. This time we are just about to go to the AFCON,” Mr Ussif indicated.

The minister hinted that some of the money will go into infrastructural development and improvement.

“We also want to develop some sports infrastructure. The FA have written that they want to improve the infrastructure at Prampram.

“It’s something that we need to get executive approval for. We have written we’ve made very various options available to my bosses to give me approval before we can communicate to the public,” he said.

Reports indicate that Ghana’s expenditure at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was an estimated $5.1 million.

The Black Stars won one game, defeating South Korea, but lost to Portugal and Uruguay in the group stage resulting in their elimination from the tournament.