Ghanaian giants Hearts of Oak are set to receive a significant financial boost following the inclusion of goalkeeper Benjamin Asare in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Asare was named in the Black Stars’ final squad by head coach Carlos Queiroz for the tournament in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, becoming the only home-based player selected for the competition.
His inclusion is not only a major achievement for the goalkeeper and the club but also a financial windfall for Hearts of Oak through FIFA’s Club Benefits Programme.
Under the programme, FIFA compensates clubs for releasing players to participate in the World Cup. Clubs receive approximately $11,000 per day for each player released, beginning 10 days before the opening match of the tournament and continuing until the day after the player’s national team is eliminated.
Even if Ghana exits the competition at the group stage, Hearts of Oak are guaranteed a minimum payment of around $250,000 for Asare’s participation in the tournament.
The compensation is paid regardless of how many minutes a player features during the competition, meaning clubs benefit equally whether their player is a regular starter or remains on the bench.
The Club Benefits Programme was established through an agreement between FIFA and the European Club Association and was renewed in 2023 for the 2023–2026 football cycle. The initiative aims to reward clubs for their role in developing and releasing players for international competitions.
An additional advantage of the programme is that compensation can also be distributed among clubs that have registered the player during the two years preceding the World Cup, although Hearts of Oak are expected to be among the primary beneficiaries due to Asare’s current registration status.
For Hearts of Oak, the projected payout comes at a crucial time and could provide valuable financial support for player development, infrastructure improvements, and operational costs.
The Phobians will also take pride in having a representative at the World Cup for the second consecutive tournament, further enhancing the club’s reputation as one of Ghana’s leading producers of talent.
