Earlyface

FIFA, the world football governing body, has
announced new prize money for the 2014
World Cup and hosts of other age-group
events.
It said in a statement, following its executive
committee meeting on Thursday, that the
new prize money would be $576 million
(about N95 billion) for next year’s
tournament.
This was an increase of 37 per cent in
comparison with
the $420 million (about N69 billion) on offer
for the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
The winner in Brazil would receive $35
million (N5.41 billion), followed by $25
million (N3.96 billion) for the runners-up.
Twenty-two million dollars (N3.48 billion)
and $20 million (N3.16 billion) would be
awarded to the third- and fourth-placed
teams respectively and $14 million (N2.216
billion) for the quarter-finalists.
The governing body also announced that
South Korea would host the U-20 World Cup
in 2017, with South Africa staging the U-20
Women’s World Cup in 2016.
India will have an opportunity to showcase
its credentials as a major event destination
by hosting the U-17 World Cup in 2017,
while Jordan would hold the U-17 Women’s
World Cup in 2016.
The governing body added that Mexico City
and Kuala Lumpur would stage the FIFA
Congress in 2016 and 2017 respectively.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has been grouped in
Group F with Argentina, Iran and Bosnia
Herzegovina in the 2014 World Cup draw
held on Friday in Brazil.
According to the draw, Nigeria would play
its first match against Iran in the group
match.