Banyana Banyana players guaranteed R567 000 each at Women’s World Cup

Every Banyana player at next month’s Women’s World Cup is guaranteed to earn at least $30 000 with the winners taking home $270 000 (R5.1 million).

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At Thursday, 8 June’s exchange rate of R18.92/$, that’s R567 000 that each of Banyana Banyana’s players can expect to pocket – even if they fail to progress from the group stages.

Women’s football is at an all-time high but there have been concerns from players that its growing popularity is not reflected in what they earn, especially compared to men.

The 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand kicks off on 20 July and when it does, players from the 32 teams of 23 players (736 in total) are guaranteed at least $30 000.

The tournament concludes on 20 August.

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That means that more than half of FIFA’s total prize money fund of $110 million will be paid to the players in the 32 team squads.

That $110 million prize pool is more than three times the $30 million that FIFA paid out at the most recent Women’s World Cup in France in 2019.

The 16 nations exiting in the group stage will get a total of $2.25 million from FIFA, split into $690 000 to share among the players and $1 560 000 for the federation.

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Meanwhile, FIFA will pay $10.5 million to the title-winning nation with the majority of that sum – $6.21 million – distributed among the players with the remaining $4.29 million going to the federation.

As a reminder, the United States are the defending champions having beaten the Netherlands 2-0 in the 2019 final .

FIFA has already allocated $30.7 million in total to help the 32 teams prepare for the tournament.

FIFA president Gianna Infantino has set an ambitious target of equal prize money for men and women at their next World Cups in 2026 and 2027, respectively.

By way of contrast, the 32 national federations whose teams played at the most recent men’s World Cup in Qatar in 2022 shared $440 million in prize money.

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As a reminder, Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Pool G alongside Sweden, Italy and Argentina.

Only the two top finishers in each of the eight pools will progress to the Last 16.

According to the latest FIFA rankings, Banyana Banyana are ranked 54th in the world.

Sweden are third, Italy 16th and Argentina 28th, suggesting Desiree Ellis’s team will have their work cut out for them Down Under.

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BANYANA BANYANA PRELIMINARY WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Regirl Ngobeni, Kebotseng Moletsane, Asa Rabalao

DEFENDERS

Asande Hadebe, Karabo Dhlamini, Fikile Magama, Cimone Sauls, Lebohang Ramalepe, Tiisetso Makhubela, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Noko Matlou, Bambani Mbane, Bongeka Gamede

MIDFIELDERS

Thubelihle Shamase, Kholosa Biyana, Thalea Smidt, Refiloe Jane, Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Robyn Moodaly, Amogelang Motau

FORWARDS

Nicole Michael, Gabriela Salgado, Sphumelele Shamase, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Noxolo Cesane, Melinda Kgadiete, Nthabiseng Majiya, Lelona Daweti, Wendy Shongwe, Ntombifikile Ndlovu, Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana