Fifa Set to Miss Equal Women’s World Cup Prize Money Ambition
Fifa is reportedly set to miss its stated ambition of achieving equal prize money for the Women’s World Cup by the 2027 tournament, despite the men’s event generating record revenues.
The governing body, led by president Gianni Infantino, had previously expressed a commitment to gender parity in prize money. However, recent reports indicate that the purse for the 2027 Women’s World Cup will be significantly less than that of the men’s competition, a decision that has been met with disappointment by some figures in the women’s game.
Prize Money Discrepancy Emerges
Despite Fifa generating a record $15 billion (£11.2 billion) from the recent men’s World Cup, the prize money allocated for the 2027 Women’s World Cup is understood to be approximately one-third of the men’s total. This falls short of expectations for parity, which many had hoped would be achieved on at least a per-team basis.
In 2023, Infantino stated that equality for the 2027 prize pot was Fifa’s “ambition,” adding that the organization was “stepping up with actions, not just with words.” This statement had fueled widespread hope that the financial rewards for the women’s tournament would align more closely with the men’s.
For context, the men’s tournament featured 48 teams, while the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil will have 32 participating nations. Under these circumstances, a women’s prize pot that was two-thirds the size of the men’s $655 million would have been considered a significant step towards parity.
A Substantial Increase, Yet a Missed Opportunity
While the reported figures represent a substantial increase in prize money compared to previous Women’s World Cups, the gap between the men’s and women’s awards is still considerable. Some sources familiar with the extensive negotiations have privately acknowledged the rise, with reports suggesting the women’s pot is targeted to double from $110 million in 2023 to $220 million. This would represent a more than seven-fold increase on the 2019 finals in France.
However, one senior female source described the news as a “huge missed open goal” by Fifa, highlighting the perceived failure to fully capitalize on the momentum and revenue generated by the women’s game.
The men’s prize money this year included $50 million for the winners, Spain. The exact figures for the 2027 Women’s World Cup are not expected to be officially confirmed until the Fifa council meeting in December.
Fifa’s Wider Investments and Explanations
Senior Fifa officials are understood to have engaged with leading female players to discuss the organization’s broader investments in women’s football and to explain the rationale behind the prize money decision. It is believed that the commercial income projected for the 2027 event has influenced the final allocation.
Infantino has previously commented on the disparity in broadcasting revenue, suggesting that broadcasters were not offering sufficient value for the television rights to the women’s tournament. He pointed to the significant viewership figures for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, which reportedly reached 933 million viewers on linear television and 895 million on streaming platforms, according to Fifa. The final between England and Spain in Sydney alone garnered a global live audience of 67 million, reaching 222 million people overall.
Fifa did not provide a comment when approached by The Guardian. However, sources within the governing body indicated that further enhancements would be made to the women’s club benefits program, along with additional funding ringfenced for players participating in the tournament.
Improvements in Player Provisions
In a separate development, it was confirmed this month that teams participating in the 2027 Women’s World Cup will receive the same preparation money as their male counterparts. This preparation fund has reportedly been more than doubled to $2.5 million per team.
Furthermore, all players are guaranteed business class or chartered flights and will have their own hotel rooms, rather than having to share. Fifa has stated that these provisions align the tournament’s standards with those of the men’s World Cup, addressing key logistical and comfort concerns for the athletes.
While these improvements in player welfare and preparation are welcomed, the continued disparity in prize money remains a significant point of contention for those advocating for full gender equality in football’s showpiece events. The decision, expected to be formalized in December, underscores the complex financial realities and ongoing debates surrounding the equitable distribution of resources in international football.
The gap in prize money, even with the reported increase, highlights the challenges in achieving financial parity between the men’s and women’s games. As the women’s game continues its rapid growth in popularity and commercial value, stakeholders will be looking to Fifa to demonstrate a more concrete commitment to closing this financial divide in future tournaments.
The focus now shifts to the upcoming Fifa council meeting where the final decisions on prize money will be ratified. The outcome will be closely watched by players, federations, and fans alike, as it will shape the financial landscape of the Women’s World Cup for years to come and reflect Fifa’s ultimate commitment to gender equality within the sport.
The contrast between Fifa’s record revenues and the reported prize money allocation for the Women’s World Cup raises questions about the prioritization of financial rewards for female athletes. While acknowledging the progress made in player provisions and preparation funds, the persistent gap in prize money suggests that the journey towards true equality remains ongoing.
The commercial success of the men’s tournament provides a strong financial foundation, and the growing viewership and engagement with the women’s game suggest a similar potential for revenue generation. The decision to not fully match the men’s prize money, therefore, is seen by many as a missed opportunity to fully leverage this potential and cement a commitment to equal financial recognition.
The ongoing dialogue between Fifa officials and leading female players indicates an awareness of these concerns. However, the reported outcome suggests that the balance between investment in broader development and direct prize money distribution remains a delicate one for the governing body.
As the 2027 Women’s World Cup approaches, the debate surrounding equal prize money is likely to intensify. The commitment made by Infantino in 2023 has set a benchmark, and the current reports suggest a failure to meet that ambitious target, leaving a significant financial gap that will continue to be a focal point for discussions on gender equality in football.
The substantial increase in prize money from previous years is a positive step, but the comparison with the men’s tournament’s financial rewards underscores the long road ahead. The coming months will be crucial in understanding the full details and the justifications behind Fifa’s final decision, which will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the perception and progression of the women’s game globally.
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