Cash rolling in for Sundowns at Club World Cup

Mamelodi Sundowns’ 1-0 win over South Korean club Ulsan HD at the Club World Cup on Tuesday earned the club an extra US$2 million – around R36 million at today’s exchange rate.

The money is on top of the US$9.55 million (approx. R162-million) that Sundowns are getting for participating in the new-look 32-team tournament that world football’s governing body Fifa has thrown money at in an effort to win over sceptical European clubs.

There is a total prize money pot of $1-billion, with $525-million dished out to teams just for competing and another $475-million given out based on how they get on during the tournament.

There is much more money for teams from Europe and South America, but Sundowns will not be complaining because the money they are already guaranteed is almost double the annual budget of a top South African club.

A win in the group stages is worth US$2 million, with a draw earning each club $1 million.

If Sundowns are to get through to the knockout stage (they would have to finish in the top two in the Group F standings), then they would stand to win US$7.5 million if they win their round of 16 match.

The winner of the Club World Cup will take home $40 million on top of their participation fee.