FIFA is to grant African teams qualified for the 2018 World Cup $2 million prize cash, says Reuters on Tuesday. The money is to help national teams from the continent prepare for the international tournament to take place in June, reveals the Confederation of African Football (CAF). Morocco, Egypt, Nigeria, Senegal and Tunisia are the only African countries to receive these grants. CAF president Ahmad Ahmad said that the money would be used to «settle beforehand the question of bonuses due the players». «Disputes over payments at previous tournaments had led to situations that affected badly the image of African football, with a considerable impact on team performances» he argued. Last year, the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) signed an agreement with its players insisting that it is not giving them bonuses, says the same source. The Nigerian team had problems the night before the Confederations Cup in Brazil in 2013 and during the 2014 World Cup. Other Africa teams were also affected by the same problems. FIFA is giving 1.5 million dollars to teams set to participate to the upcoming World Cup, said Associated Press. The latter explains that the body is providing a minimum of $8 million more in prize money after the tournament ends.
