FIFA add prize money and extra team to World Cup

Add as a preferred source on Google

Zurich, Aug 14: FIFA have added a million dollars prize money and one extra place to this year's World Club Cup in Japan, the world governing soccer body said today.

Japan was also awarded the 2008 competition with the bidding to host the 2009 event scheduled to start in November.

''The organising committee decided to increase the prize money by 1 million dollars for the 2007 event, putting a total of 16 million dollars up for grabs in Japan,'' FIFA said in a statement.

''The champion will take home 5 million, the runner-up will net 4 million, and 3rd place 2.5 million. fourth place will get 2 million, the two fifth-placed teams will receive 1 million and seventh place will earn 500,000 dollars.'' Seven teams instead of six will take part in the competition starting on December 7.

In the three previous tournaments, known then as the World Club Championship, six continental club champions qualified, but from this year the champions of the host country will receive a spot and play the Oceania winners in the first match.

''The committee decided to recommend to the FIFA executive committee that Japan should host the 2008 event and an open tender for the bidding process for the 2009 edition should be launched in November 2007,'' FIFA said.

Four clubs have already qualified for this year's competition, Italy's AC Milan, Argentina's Boca Juniors, Pachucha of Mexico and Waitakere United from New Zealand.

All three previous tournaments were won by Brazilian sides with Corinthians winning in 2000, Sao Paulo in 2005 and Internacional in 2006.

Reuters >