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In addition to the sporting disappointment, Belgium must also deal with the financial element following the elimination from the group stage. Peter Bossaert, CEO of the federation, explained in September: “We have a modest ambition, namely to get out of the group stage. We always work this way. You never know what can happen, so qualifying for the Round of 16 is the financial goal. After that, it’s a bonus.”
There will therefore be no bonus, but above all a loss in the end, or at the very least a shortfall for the federation. A qualification for the round of 16 would indeed have brought in €12.6 million to the coffers of the federation according to the prize-money determined by FIFA. Staying at the quay after the group stage, on the other hand, only brings in €8.7 million. It is therefore a shortfall of just under €4 million with which the Belgian Union will have to come to terms when it draws up the financial balance sheet of the competition.
The World Cup in Qatar, with the logistics that entails, incurred significant costs, but less travel. However, this remains an element to be taken into consideration when appointing a new coach. In the new offices in Tubize, the budget could be tight for the coming year.
