African teams going to the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia will be handed $2 million each, according to a statement from the Confederation of African Football (CAF) on Monday.
The continental football body said the funds are part of participation bonuses from FIFA which the teams are entitled to.
Other instalments will be paid in due course, CAF said.
An initial $500,000 was disbursed after qualifications to the tournament, to facilitate early preparations, according to officials.
Senegal Football Federation welcomed the news with great joy, saying it would not only help in their groundwork but also settle bonuses for players – an issue many African teams keep confronting.
“CAF’s news is a good one for us and I imagine for all the teams going to the World Cup,” the body’s president Augustin Senghor said in a statement.
“There are a lot of expenses to cover. Besides travelling, accommodation and renting of pitches for training, the players need to be assured of their bonuses. It helps to avoid chaos in camp and allows focus instead.”
Five teams will be representing the African continent in Russia, namely Senegal, Nigeria, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia.
The 2018 World Cup kicks off on June 14 and will conclude on July 15.
