Why 2023 Fifa women’s World Cup could break new ground
FIFA has announce a significant increase in the prize money for the upcoming Women’s World Cup host by Australia and New Zealand. The payout of $110 million is a significant boost from the $30 million award in 2019 and $15 million in 2015. However, it falls short of the $440 million paid out in the 2022 men’s tournament. The organization aims to distribute equal prize money between the two tournaments by the 2027 Women’s World Cup. FIFA also confirm that players will receive the same conditions as the men’s teams did in the last World Cup. This is a positive step towards gender equality in sports.
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Prize Money of women’s World Cup
FIFA President, Gianni Infantino’s has pledge to work towards equality in prize money for the Men’s and Women’s World Cup tournaments. He emphasize the importance of giving women the attention they deserve, especially as a father of four daughters. While equal prize money may not be possible for this year’s tournament, Infantino’s goal is for women’s prize money in 2027 to match that given to men for the 2026 tournament. However, he clarify that this is an ideal, not a promise, and will be difficult to achieve.
Men’s and Women’s Tournaments
Infantino largely blames broadcasters and TV networks for offering significantly less money for the media rights of the women’s tournament, which holds back equal pay. He argues that if viewing figures for men’s and women’s tournaments are similar, pay should reflect this. While FIFA is taking action towards achieving equality, he calls on broadcasters and sponsors to do more in this respect.
This year’s Women’s World Cup will see a total payout of $150 million, with $40 million allocate to preparation and club benefits. The tournament will feature 32 teams, expanding from the 24-team format use in 2019 and 2015, and the 16-team format use in 2011.
Global Professional Players
FIFA, the global professional players’ union representing 65,000 men’s and women’s soccer players worldwide, has also call for equal prize money at the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup in a letter to FIFA. The letter also address tournament conditions and guaranty redistributions of the FIFA prize money to players. It’s worth noting that in many countries, women’s national team players do not have contractual agreements with their national federations to receive a portion of the money their team wins.
