Is there a third and fourth place match at the 2022 World Cup? Why is it important?
What happens to the two teams that lose in the World Cup semi-finals?
The 2022 World Cup is winding down with just four games remaining in the competition. Two semi-finals, the 18 December final and the day before, a game that few players want to play in but one that is important for the bottom line of the participating federations.
The two losing semi-finalists will go head-to-head to see who comes third and who comes fourth, as the name suggests.
Why is the third place playoff match important?
Basically, money. The team that finishes in third place receives $27 million while fourth place receives $25 million in prize money. One may feel that it should be enough money for them to get over losing in the semi-finals.
The winning side receives $42 million and losing the final gets you $30 million. In total, the World Cup prize money reaches a staggering $440 million, which is no small fee!
The total has increased $40 million since the last tournament and at the 2014 World Cup, a mere $358 million dollars was handed out.
World Cup prize money
| World Cup Finish | Prize money ($) |
|---|---|
| Group Stage | 9 million |
| Round of 16 | 13 million |
| Quarter Final | 17 million |
| Fourth place | 25 million |
| Third place | 27 million |
| Second place | 30 million |
| Winner | 42 million |