Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
Egypt’s national team will head into its Africa Cup of Nations 2025 quarter-final against Côte d’Ivoire with more than just pride and qualification at stake, as lucrative prize money adds a powerful financial incentive to the Pharaohs’ pursuit of continental glory.
The match, scheduled for Saturday at 9:00 pm, sees Egypt, led by head coach Hossam Hassan, aiming to extend their impressive run in the tournament currently being held in Morocco. Victory would not only secure a place in the semi-finals but would also significantly boost the team’s financial rewards.
Egypt booked their quarter-final spot after a dramatic round-of-16 victory over Benin, winning 3–1 after extra time in a marathon encounter that showcased the team’s resilience. Côte d’Ivoire, meanwhile, progressed more comfortably, defeating Burkina Faso 3–0 to set up one of the tournament’s most anticipated clashes.
By reaching the quarter-finals, Egypt have already guaranteed a prize of $1.3 million, awarded to all teams that advance to the last eight. This came on top of the $800,000 the team earned for qualifying for the round of 16 after finishing top of Group B with seven points.
In total, Egypt’s prize money haul has now reached $2.1 million, equivalent to around EGP 100 million, providing a significant morale and financial boost for the squad as the competition intensifies.
The stakes rise even higher against Côte d’Ivoire. Qualification for the semi-finals would earn Egypt an additional $2.5 million, approximately EGP 120 million turning the quarter-final into a pivotal moment both sporting and financially. With each round, the rewards grow, adding extra motivation for players to overcome one of Africa’s strongest sides.
The Confederation of African Football has substantially increased prize money for the 2025 tournament, reflecting the growing commercial value of the competition. The champions will receive $10 million, up from $7 million in the previous edition, while the runners-up will take home $4 million. The two losing semi-finalists will each earn $2.5 million.
Under the current prize structure, teams eliminated in the quarter-finals receive $1.3 million, while those knocked out in the round of 16 earn $800,000. Third-placed teams in the group stage that fail to qualify for the knockouts receive $700,000, and fourth-placed teams collect $500,000.
The financial contrast with previous tournaments underscores the scale of the changes. Côte d’Ivoire earned $7 million after winning the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, while Senegal collected $5 million as champions of the 2021 edition.
For Egypt, the clash with Côte d’Ivoire represents far more than a step toward an eighth continental title. It is a gateway to escalating rewards, heightened prestige, and a renewed chapter in the Pharaohs’ long history at Africa’s premier football tournament, where sporting ambition and financial incentive now go hand in hand.
