Russia 2018: German players offered 350,000 euro bonus

The Germany soccer federation in an attempt to boost the morale of her players ahead of the FIFA World Cup in Russia 2018 has said each player will receive a 350,000 euro ($410,000) bonus if the team defends its World Cup title in Russia.
The German soccer federation says it has agreed to a performance-related bonus system for the team, as it did for the successful 2014 World Cup campaign and the last two European Championships.
Bonuses will only be paid upon reaching the quarterfinals, when each player would receive 75,000 euros ($90,000). That will increase to 125,000 euros ($150,000) for reaching the semifinals, 150,000 euros ($175,000) for third place and 200,000 euros ($235,000) for reaching the final. Only Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962) have won back-to-back World Cup titles.
“This gives early and necessary calm and clarity before the tournament so that we can concentrate on the sporting tasks,” said Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff in a statement.
“It is a good sign when players are backing this (bonus) performance-based principle.”
A title win in Russia would make Germany only the third nation after Italy (1934-38) and Brazil (1958-62) to succeed in a world title defence. Germany have been drawn in Group F for the tournament next year, along with Mexico, Sweden and South Korea.