Dundee United and St Johnstone are set for a World Cup windfall after Aziz Behich, Dylan Levitt and David Wotherspoon were selected for Australia, Wales and Canada, respectively.
And Dundee are set to benefit to the tune of almost £100,000 following Jason Cummings’ Socceroos call-up — despite the Scots-born striker leaving Dens Park in January.
As part of Fifa’s Club Benefit Payments Programme, a share of the profits from the successful hosting of the tournament is distributed among associated teams who provide players for the competition.
That amounts to $10,000 (£8,768) per day, per player. It does not matter whether they feature in their country’s matches.
The paid period spans from the start of the preparation period — November 10 — until the day after their final match.
Fifa approximate the amount earned by each player to range from £160,000 for a group stage exit to £325,000 if their nation reaches the December 18 final.
Crucially, the payout is shared between the clubs with which the player was registered in the two years preceding to the tournament, on a pro rata basis.
Payments are distributed by the Scottish FA and will be given to relevant member clubs after the successful staging of the World Cup.
Australia: Aziz Behich (Dundee United)
Behich, one of 10 SPFL-based players in the Australia squad, joined United in July — four months ago — meaning United receive a comparatively small cut of his payout.
Stage reached:
Group phase: £24,000
Last-16: £32,000
Quarter-finals: £41,000
Semi-finals: £47,000
Final: £54,000
Wales: Dylan Levitt (Dundee United)
As a loan deal requires a temporary transfer of Fifa registration, United would be due cash covering Levitt’s loan deal last season — as well as the five months leading up to the Qatar showpiece.
Stage reached:
Group phase: £100,000
Last-16: £118,750
Quarter-finals: £153,000
Semi-finals: £175,000
Final: £203,000
Canada: David Wotherspoon (St Johnstone)
Modern-day Saints legend Wotherspoon has been on the books of his boyhood heroes since 2013 and, as such, every penny earned by his stint in Qatar will return to Perth.
Stage reached:
Group phase: £160,000
Last-16: £190,000
Quarter-finals: £245,000
Semi-finals: £280,000
Final: £325,000
Australia: Jason Cummings (Dundee)
Cummings’ year-long stint with the Dark Blues between January 2021 and January 2022 will see Dundee receive half of the payout earned by his participation in Qatar; a welcome, unforeseen cash boost for the club and, potentially, boss Gary Bowyer.
Stage reached:
Group phase: £80,000
Last-16: £95,000
Quarter-finals: £122,500
Semi-finals: £140,000
Final: £162,500
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