Callum Jones
With the dust starting to settle, it will soon be sinking in that football will not be coming home this year.
The Lionesses were unable to repeat their heroics of 12 months ago when they lifted the Euros on home soil, as they lost to Spain in Sydney this morning.
In a topsy-turvy game, Spain came out on top with a narrow 1-0 win thanks to a 29th minute goal from Olga Carmona at Sydney's Stadium Australia.
The final also saw England goalkeeper Mary Earps save a penalty, but England were unable to capitalise from there.
Advert
While winning the World Cup is seen as the pinnacle of any footballer's career, a nice financial sump also comes alongside it - something the England players have unfortunately missed out on.
FIFA - football's governing body - pledged a massive prize pool for this year's Women's World Cup, three times the £24m prize fund on offer in the 2019 World Cup.
To start with, each player in the England squad received £10,000 to help their families attend the tournament in Australia and New Zealand.
The extra cash comes from where England finished in the tournament, with players guaranteed at least £24,000 each even if they got knocked out in the group stage.
Advert
As we are all aware now, England finished as runners-up for the 2023 Women's World Cup, leading to each Lioness bagging £153,000.
However, if England would have found a way past the Spaniards to World Cup victory, then they would have been taking home the allusive trophy plus £213,000 each.
The topic surrounding money has been a divisive one in recent days after it was confirmed England would be playing in the final.
The men's side were offered £500,000 by the FA if they won at Qatar last year, but when the women reportedly asked for just a fifth of this at £100,000 each, they were turned down.
Advert
Many labelled the decision by FA as own goal, including ITV pundit and former Arsenal striker Ian Wright.
Earlier today, he appeared on ITV Sport with Chelsea Women’s manager Emma Hayes and called the bonuses row ‘embarrassing’.
“Wiegman is staying, she's got a world class side there's no reason for her to go anywhere, I hope she gets paid what she deserves and I hope the players get the bonuses they deserve,” he pointedly said.
The 59-year-old added: “It’s really quite embarrassing.”