Ar'Jany Martha and the six-figure World Cup windfall for Rotherham United

The 22-year-old Millers attacker was part of the Curacao squad that departed after the group stages of the tournament being held in America, Mexico and Canada.

Football's world governing body, FIFA, pays money to clubs who have players representing their nations and a six-figure windfall is on its way to AESSEAL New York Stadium.

From the time of the player's release to attend the competition until his team's final match, a fee of $5,000 (around £3,730) is paid out.

The Curacao squad assembled on May 25 and their last Group E clash was on June 25, meaning Rotherham will benefit by approximately £116,000.

Martha, who made 47 appearances last term in his first year in S60 following his move from Belgian side Beerschot, didn't play in any of Curacao's three games in America but the fact that he was in the squad was enough to swell the Millers’ coffers.

There is even more money for the Millers because FIFA also pay $2,362 (around £1,765) for every match in the qualifying phase and there were nine of those.

Martha was born in Holland but is eligible to play for the Caribbean island of Curacao - the smallest nation to ever qualify for the finals - through his parentage.

They lost their opening match 7-1 to Germany in Houston and followed that up with a 0-0 draw with Ecuador in Kansis City and a 2-0 defeat against Ivory Coast in Philadelphia.

Meanwhile, Rotherham have brought forward the kick-off time of one of the early matches in their 2026/27 League Town campaign on police advice.

The AESSEAL New York Stadium showdown with near-neighbours Chesterfield on Saturday August 29 had originally been due to start at 3pm but will now begin at 1pm.

The club have added one more date to their pre-season programme of friendlies and will head to National League North Darlington on Tuesday July 28 (kick-off 7.30pm).