How World Cup Money Will Be Distributed: Germany To Get $35m

To the victors go the spoils and 1 percent of FIFA's 2014 World Cup revenue. After Germany defeated Argentina in extra time of the final of the World Cup, not only did it get to hoist an 18-carat trophy, but it also hauled off a cool $35 million. It�s fitting that the largest prize in World Cup history was distributed in the most expensive World Cup in history. Spain, winner of the 2010 World Cup, received $30 million. That money is the only thing Germany gets to keep (except for bragging rights) since the expensive trophy stays with FIFA and teams are given a cheaper replica. Argentina received $25 million as the runner-up, which is up from $24 million in 2010. The Netherlands earned $20 million for finishing third and Brazil earned $18 million for fourth place. The United States earned $9 million for making it to the Round of 16. That money will go to each country�s soccer federation and it is at the discretion of each nation how to dole out the winnings. That prize money is in addition to the $1.5 million each nation was given prior to the tournament for training, travel and other expenses. FIFA also has a pool $70 million to pay to the various clubs that employ the 736 club players in the tournament, which works out to $2,800 per player per day that the player was in the World Cup. Here�s a look at the prize money distribution for the 2014 FIFA World Cup: Group Stage (16 eliminated teams): $8 million each Round of 16 (eight losers): $9 million each Quarterfinals (four losers): $14 million each Fourth place: $18 million Third place:: $20 million Runner-up: $24 million Winner: $35 million If it sounds like a lot of money is being dished out for the five-week tournament, it pales in comparison to what FIFA stands to make, which could be upwards of $4.5 billion thanks to broadcasting revenue, licensing, sponsorships and hospitality. It�s also just a drop in the bucket for players such as Lionel Messi, who just inked a deal with Barcelona for more than $50 million per year. It�s unclear how much Brazil, the host country, will take away in addition to its prize money, but it won�t be nearly as much as FIFA�s windfall and won�t come close to covering the estimated $14 billion in costs to build and renovate 12 stadiums, upgrade the country's infrastructure and pay for security. And there�s probably not enough money in the world to make the country feel better about its last two games, which the Brazilians lost by a combined 10-1.