German National Team Players Set to Collect Their First Bonus in Four Years
The German football team is stuck in a series of disappointing tournament performances, financially affecting the players as well. The DFB hasn't had to dispense bonus payments for quite some time. It could potentially revert to this situation once more.
The recent major tournaments yielded a fiscally prudent outcome for the German Football Association: Due to the German football team consistently underperforming in a distressingly regular manner in the past few years, the federation hasn't had to shell out bonus payments for a long while. The last time a German men's national team pocketed some cash, according to "Kicker", was in 2017 - after winning the Confederations Cup. There was €50,000 each back then.
At the World Cups 2018 and 2022, exiting in the group stage was not compensated, nor were bonuses handed out for reaching the quarterfinals at EURO 2021. Now, the DFB players have the power to financially reward themselves - but only if they win the group.
Five players recall ...
DFB business chief Andreas Rettig declared before the tournament that there would be no alterations in performance-related tournament bonuses in comparison to EURO 2021 and WM 2022. "We agreed on that with the player council last year," he added. Manuel Neuer and crew will earn at least a point and the group win tonight (9:00 PM/ ARD, MagentaTV and live on ntd.de*) against Switzerland, the DFB will fork over €50,000 to each of the 26 players in the squad. Even in the event of a loss, a host team's elimination in the round of 16, as in 2021, will not lead to a bonus.
Five players from the previous DFB team of 2017, who received a tournament bonus, are still part of the current squad: Reserve goalkeeper Marc-André ter Stegen, defenders Joshua Kimmich, Benjamin Henrichs, and Antonio Rüdiger, as well as Emre Can.
Bonus for the championship victory
If the German team advances past the round of 16, each player will have a guaranteed €100,000, a semifinal appearance will be rewarded with €150,000. A runner-up finish would yield €250,000, while a championship win would result in a record bonus: €400,000 per player! For comparison's sake, the remaining World Cup winners in the EURO squad in 2014, Toni Kroos, Manuel Neuer, and Thomas Müller, as well as tournament leader Philipp Lahm, earned only €300,000 each.
For the association, it's also about money against Switzerland: A win yields €1,000,000 from UEFA, a draw brings €500,000. For advancing, the DFB receives €1,500,000. Regardless of whether as first, second, or third. With potential EURO winnings, Treasurer Stephan Grundwald can already anticipate approximately €12,000,000. Just for qualifying, the two group stage victories, and advancing cost Treasurer Stephan Grundwald roughly €12,000,000.
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The upcoming European Football Championship 2024 presents an opportunity for the German National Team to collect their first tournament bonus in six years, as they aim to replicate their 2017 Confederations Cup success. The DFB, or German Football Association, has strictly adhered to the performance-related tournament bonuses agreed upon with the player council, with business chief Andreas Rettig confirming no changes for this tournament.
