KFA president pledges additional cash incentive for World Cup team

Korea Football Association (KFA) President Chung Mong-gyu has pledged additional World Cup bonuses — funded through a personal donation rather than the KFA’s budget — for the national team.

“I will donate 1 billion won [$660,000] if Korea reaches the knockout stage, 2 billion won for a round-of-16 appearance and 3 billion won for a quarterfinal berth,” said Chung on Monday.

The donation is a means to “encourage” the team, according to Chung. 

Chung recently announced that he will step down as KFA president on July 19 and end his 13-year tenure. His departure comes amid public criticism over the handling of the national team’s coaching appointment and a controversial amnesty granted to sanctioned football officials, including figures involved in a K League match-fixing scandal. 

“The slogan for this World Cup is ‘Beyond limits, the Reds united,’” Chung said. Players on the Korean national football team and their fans are nicknamed “Reds” after the team’s red uniform.

“I hope that our players will once again unite the country through football by showing their fighting spirit and pushing themselves beyond their limits,” he added.

Chung reportedly informed manager Hong Myung-bo, captain Son Heung-min and several other players of the additional bonus plan during a video call. Hong and the players then thanked Chung and vowed to live up to his expectations.

The KFA president also reportedly discussed his future with the association.

Earlier, the KFA announced that each player will receive a World Cup participation bonus of 50 million won.

They will also earn an additional 100 million won if Korea advances to the knockout stage, with another 100 million won awarded for each subsequent round that the team reaches.

Separate match-win bonuses will also be paid. Players will receive 30 million won for a group-stage victory and 50 million won for a win in the knockout stage, with payouts increasing in later rounds.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY PARK LIN [lee.jiwon10@joongang.co.kr]