Socceroos’ looming World Cup bonanza $ 12.5m jump for joy

THESE are the figures that explain why Australian soccer badly needed to be part of the World Cup draw in Moscow early on Saturday.

Assistant coach Ante Milicic will represent the team, but a host of Football Federation Australia officials will be working on contracts for training grounds, warm- up opposition and the myriad logistics involved in being part of the world’s biggest sporting event.

Australia will pocket $ 12.5 million just for participating in June’s World Cup in Russia.

Each of the 32 competing countries receives $ 10.5 million plus $ 2 million to cover preparation costs.

Should the Socceroos make it out of their group to the last 16, they would receive close to $ 16 million.

Prizemoney increases substantially the further they progress in the tournament. The World Cup winner is rewarded with close to $ 50 million and the runnerup $ 36.8 million.

The prizemoney is paid by FIFA after the World Cup and FFA bosses will decide how it is allocated. The players have previously received a third of the prizemoney.

It’s not only the World Cup that is vital financially for FFA but also the commercial opportunities in the lead- up.

FFA has earmarked the March and May international windows to host friendlies as the Socceroos prepare for Russia.

Italy, which failed to qualify for the World Cup, have been mentioned as a possible opponent.

The higher profile the team, the more FFA will have to spend to bring it out, so negotiations with state governments interested in hosting the matches are expected to take place.