The team that wins the 2007 Women's World Cup will now receive a cool US$1 million bonus from FIFA, football's international governing body.

On Monday, FIFA announced it plans to give a total of 6 million dollars in bonuses to the 16 teams at next year's women's tournament, scheduled to run from September 10th to 30th in China.

The tournament is set to be exciting, with defending champions Germany and hosts China seeded in separate groups. FIFA rankings will be used to decide the other seeds.

The draw is expected to take place in the central Chinese city of Wuhan next March.

FIFA officials, including President Joseph S. Blatter, have praised China's preparations for the tournament.
 
(CRI October 17, 2006)