The five African qualified teams for the Russia 2018 FIFA World Cup will each receive an advance of $2 million of their prize money from FIFA towards their preparations.

The decision comes on the heels of negotiations initiated by CAF President Ahmad Ahmad with the FIFA administration, leading to the exceptional agreement granted on April 12.

This follows a decision by the CAF Emergency Committee on December 1, and ratified by the CAF Executive Committee on January 10.

The meeting had agreed on providing exceptional financial support to the five African representatives towards their preparations for the impending tournament in Russia.

“This agreement, for an advance on the financial allocation by FIFA, aims to allow representatives at World Cups to have a harmonious preparation.

“It will also help to settle beforehand the question of bonuses due the players, which in the previous editions of the competitions had led to situations which affected badly the image of African football, with a considerable impact on team performances,” Mr Ahmad had said.

The five teams are those of Nigeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt and Morocco.

The five teams have consequently been directed to contact FIFA Financial Division in that regard, according to a report on CAF website.

NAN