Stars' £5m World Cup bonus talks

The Football Association is to meet the England players' committee to start talks over the squad's World Cup finals bonus package of up to £ 5million and avoid the friction which surrounded the issue ahead of France 98.

The players' group is represented by captain David Beckham, Michael Owen, Sol Campbell and David Seaman.

Now that qualification has been achieved, the initial meeting is set to take place in the next few weeks, with a date possibly being set aside around next month's friendly against Sweden at Old Trafford.

Those England players at the nucleus of the current side are each likely to benefit by about £200,000 if the team reach at least the knockout stages next summer.

However, the total payout, which effectively comes from money earned by the FA from it sponsors, could still be almost double what the players received four years ago, albeit when they only reached the second round. The players are understandably keen to sort out the details with FA chief executive Adam Crozier and marketing director Paul Barber.

These points are likely to include what the potential bonus pot will be, how the money will be shared out and what personal appearances will be required from the players as their side of the deal. Discussions could lead on to the FA's new sponsorship contracts, which are due to come into force at the start of next season