FIFA is set to miss its target for gender equality regarding prize money at next year's Women's World Cup in Brazil. This decision comes despite the organization generating a record $15 billion in revenue from this summer's men's tournament. In 2023, FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated that achieving equal prize pots by 2027 was the organization's ambition, emphasizing that FIFA was taking action rather than just offering words. Consequently, there had been widespread hope within the women's game that the 2027 prize fund would match the men's on a per-team basis.
With 48 teams participating in the men's event and 32 teams scheduled for the women's tournament, parity would have required a women's pot roughly two-thirds the size of the men's $655 million. However, it is understood that the women's prize money will amount to only about one-third of the men's total. While this represents a substantial increase, reactions are mixed; some sources familiar with recent negotiations privately praise the rise, while one senior female source described the outcome as a "huge missed open goal" by FIFA. A formal confirmation is not expected until the FIFA council meeting in December.
Sky News reported that the women's prize pot is targeted to double from $110 million in 2023 to $220 million, marking a more than seven-fold increase compared to the 2019 finals in France. In contrast, this year's men's tournament included $50 million for the winners, Spain. Senior FIFA officials have reportedly spoken with leading female players to outline wider investments and explain the decision, which is believed to be linked to the commercial income the 2027 event is projected to generate. Infantino has previously criticized broadcasters for not paying more for television rights, despite the 2023 tournament reaching 933 million viewers on linear television and 895 million on streaming platforms.
While FIFA did not comment when contacted, sources within the governing body indicated there would be further enhancements to the women's club benefits program and additional funds ringfenced for participating players. It was confirmed this month that teams at the 2027 Women's World Cup will receive the same preparation money as those in the men's tournament, which has been more than doubled to $2.5 million each. Additionally, every player is guaranteed business class or chartered flights and their own hotel room, provisions FIFA states now align with the men's World Cup standards.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.