Wales stars to share £10m World Cup bonus

GARETH BALE and his fellow Wales stars can look forward to a share of about £10million in prize money as a result of qualifying for the World Cup.

Wales have reached the tournament for the first time since 1958 and will take on USA, Iran and England in the groups in Qatar in November.

Yet regardless of their performance, Wales — like all nations — have landed an initial £1.5m from FIFA to spend on tournament preparations.

Then, even if they are eliminated in the groups, they will still collect close to £8m after their tournament has ended.

As well as being distributed among the players and staff, the funds would be used to improve the game at all levels in Wales and boost their chances of qualifying for future tournaments.

This week, Welsh FA chief executive Noel Mooney bemoaned the ‘third-world’ grassroots facilities he had found in some parts of the country on taking the job last year.

Wales face Belgium tomorrow in the Nations League knowing defeat would leave them at threat of relegation following losses to Poland and Holland.