Sports Minister Mustapha Ussif claims that Ghana’s budget for the 2022 World Cup is ready, revealing talks have been held for Black Stars players not to be paid more than they were for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Each Black Stars player received at least $100,000 in 2014 and, according to Ussif, who spoke with the media after the National Team Day Walk with the Legends on Saturday, no player will receive more than that amount in Qatar.
He explained that the decision was made due to the country’s current economic difficulties.
“We have budgeted for the entire tournament, and where we are going to reach will determine how much we are going to spend, so until we finish the tournament we can’t tell you how much we are going to spend but we have a budget estimated for the entire tournament,” he revealed.
“We have negotiated with the Black Stars on all their incentives as far as this World Cup is concerned but once we get to the tournament, we will make it public to Ghanaians. Everybody will know how much Black Stars are going to take. What we have indicated to them is that we are not going to increase what they had in Brazil, so whatever they had in Brazil stays because of the current economic circumstances,” Ussif added.
Ghana are guaranteed $12 million as preparation fee plus group stage earnings from FIFA for simply qualifying for the World Cup, but will earn more if they reach the semi-finals, which is the team’s target going to Qatar.
Black Stars will play Portugal on November 24, South Korea four days later, and Uruguay on December 2.