After crashing out of the World Cup following a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Belgium this week, USA players are now facing the prospect of handing over half of their tournament earnings. Mauricio Pochettino’s side had hoped to make a deep run this summer but came unstuck at the first serious hurdle they faced.

In the immediate aftermath, Christian Pulisic – dubbed ‘Captain America’ – has been among those to face the fiercest criticism for his underwhelming displays throughout the co-hosted tournament. While many supporters are still struggling to come to terms with the manner of the Stars and Stripes’ exit, US legend Landon Donovan has offered an explanation for why the country continues to lag behind some of its rivals in the sport.

The real kick in the teeth for the players who helped spark football fever across the United States during the early stages of the tournament, however, is that they will ultimately see only half of their earnings. This comes despite the USA ranking as the ninth-highest earners at this year’s World Cup.

Why USA Players Must Give Up 60% of their World Cup Earnings

REUTERS/Agustin Marcarian

USA’s World Cup stars earned $16 million in prize money for reaching the last 16 but must split it equally with the women’s team. The figure will be split between the 26 men on the World Cup roster and the 26 women who are selected to play in next year’s Women’s World Cup, if they qualify under Emma Hayes’ stewardship.

As per Daily Mail, the men’s and women’s teams share World Cup prize money equally under terms of the collective bargaining agreement that was signed back in 2022. The deal was signed off after almost six years of campaigning and legal action by the women’s team, spearheaded by Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan, in an effort to secure equal pay.

The U.S. Soccer governing body, which pays men’s and women’s players $10,000 per World Cup match, will also keep 20 per cent of the prize money from this year’s tournament. The remaining 80 per cent will then be divided between the men’s and women’s players who make their respective World Cup rosters.

On this occasion, that 40 per cent equates to $6.4m per team or $246,153.85 per player. That same division of prize funds will come into place again for any prize money the women’s team picks up at the 2027 Women’s World Cup.

USWNT Remain USA’s Gold Standard in Football

Although football has reached new heights in popularity in the USA this summer, it is still the women’s national team that wears the crown stateside. With four World Cup triumphs – more than any other nation in women’s football – the USWNT have long been the standard-bearers for the sport. Special mentions must go to Rapinoe and Morgan, but other household names from the team’s golden era include Carli Lloyd, Mia Hamm and Abby Wambach.

Their success has not quite hit the same heights in recent years, which has inevitably seen some of the spotlight drift elsewhere. Even so, under Hayes – a seven-time WSL winner with Chelsea – there is a growing belief that the USWNT can turn back the clock and return to their former glory. If anyone can get them back to the top table of world football, their current boss appears well placed to do so.

When the USWNT were knocked out in the last 16 of the 2023 World Cup, they received just $1.87million in prize money from FIFA. The figures for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil have yet to be announced, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino has made no secret of his ambition to level the playing field, declaring that he wants men’s and women’s World Cup prize money to be equal by the 2027 edition.

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle side will have a new-look midfield going into the 2026/27 Premier League season.

After a disappointing campaign that saw them miss out on a European place after finishing 12th, the Magpies need to bounce back and get back to their previous heights once again.

It has been a very busy summer at St James’ Park so far with incomings and outgoings taking place.

The headline news has seen Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali exit for a grand total of £169million, with captain Bruno Guimaraes another potential departure after reportedly asking the club to leave amid interest from Arsenal.

In terms of players coming in through the door, goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen, left-winger Bazoumana Toure and midfielder Sean Steur have all signed on the dotted line.

That doesn’t look set to be the end of the transfer business, however, with another new signing in the offing.

Johan Manzambi to Newcastle deal close

Switzerland international Johan Manzambi appears on the verge of becoming Newcastle United’s latest summer addition as they plan for the new season.

According to Fabrizio Romano, the Magpies are closing in on a deal with German club SC Freiburg for the midfielder for a fee in the region of £51.5m with add-ons.

Romano reports that the 20-year-old ‘supestar in the making’ has been shown Newcastle’s project over the past fortnight ahead of his move from the Bundesliga club.

Manzambi enjoyed quite the season for Freiburg, contributing seven goals and nine assists across 47 games in all competitions, as he helped his club finish seventh in the league as well as set up a Europa League final clash against Aston Villa that ultimately ended in defeat.

The Geneva-born player is currently participating at the World Cup for Switzerland and has duly come in for plenty of praise in North America after so far chipping in with three goals and two assists on their run to the quarter-finals.

In a summer where Newcastle have already lost Tonali and potentially now influential leader Guimaraes, Manzambi will help strengthen that area of the pitch for Howe once his move to the north east is officially signed off.

A ‘joy to watch’

It’s safe to say that Newcastle fans should look forward to watching Manzambi in action in the years ahead.

Making an impression for both club and country, Bayern Munich boss Vincent Kompany last campaign namechecked the Swiss starlet as one of “a new generation of top talent emerging in Germany”.

Switzerland boss Murat Yakin also mentioned the player’s ability to score goals and that he can also utilise him as a winger as well as in his usual central midfield berth.

“He has an incredible hunger for goals, I’ve rarely seen that in a player,” said Yakin. “He’s so hungry to score. He’s a real joy to watch. You can simply throw him in as a winger. He brings a carefree attitude that does us good. He is our secret weapon.”

Tottenham are ready to loan out one of their key stars, but their condition could complicate one particular deal. Spurs have fearlessly bolstered their squad this summer, putting together a club-record transfer window already.

The North London club’s £235million or so investment this summer is more than they have ever spent in one window, and that total will continue to rise. Roberto De Zerbi is being given the chance to overhaul his squad in a bid to get them into Europe next season, but while there is excitement aplenty, the new signings are not good news for everyone.

Some of the club’s young players now have very little chance of getting regular playing time, and Mikey Moore is one of those players.

Moore set for another loan spell

Tottenham youngster Moore spent last season out on loan with Scottish giants Rangers, making 33 league appearances, scoring seven and providing three assists. Moore impressed his loan club, and it appears they would like him back ahead of next season, even after changing manager, with Derek McInnes replacing Danny Rohl.

Moore is being backed for a big future, still only 18, and he has previously impressed in the Spurs first team, making 12 Premier League appearances to date. The winger is under contract until 2030, and it’s clear Spurs believe he is a player who can become a starter at the club some day.

In fact, according to TeamTalk, Tottenham are blocking an approach from Borussia Dortmund to sign Moore on a loan deal with an option to buy. Spurs are said to be willing to loan out Moore again this season amid talks with Dortmund, but they will not allow the opportunity to sign the young player permanently.

Rangers could have an open window

via Reuters

It remains to be seen whether Dortmund will go ahead with the deal under those conditions, but it could offer Rangers the chance to steal a march, given they will likely happily do a loan deal without the possibility of a future purchase. Meanwhile, Dortmund are a top-tier club who have a rich history of developing young talents, and they are likely to want to own the player’s rights if they are going to play such a big part in his development.

Rangers star James Tavernier said of Moore last season: “We had a difficult start to the season and Mikey responded well. He kept his head down and continued working hard.

“You can see his performances on the pitch; it is credit to him. Players can go under or go missing after the start we had, but he has taken everything on his shoulders and is pushing himself as a player.”