Ivory Coast budgets $5m for World Cup

The Ivorian government on Wednesday approved a budget of 2.5 billion CFA francs ($5.4m) for the participation of its national team at the upcoming World Cup in Brazil.

The amount will cover match bonuses, transport, hotel bills for a 65-man delegation, including players and officials of the football federation and the ministry of sports.

The budget also includes bonuses for the Elephants’ qualification to the World Cup which is 2 million CFA francs ($4 200) per match for eight matches played, totalling 548 million CFA francs ($1.2m), to be paid before the beginning of the competition.

Bonuses for the tournament itself are the same as what was paid in the 2006 and 2010 editions. Each player will take home 50 million CAF francs ($104 000), totalling 1.15 billion CFA francs ($2.4m), to be paid after the publication of the list of 23 players.

Eventual bonuses for Round of 16 have been pegged at $35 000 for each player; Quarterfinals – $42 000; Semifinals – $69 000 and Final – $135 000.

The two Ivorian referees selected by Fifa to officiate at the World Cup also have their share in the budget, with $32 000 going to the centre referee and $21 000 for the linesman.

Ivory Coast are drawn against Colombia, Japan and Greece in Group C and will open their campaign against the Samurai Blue at the Arena Pernambuco in Recife on June 14.