- Prize money for FIFA Men’s World Cup 2020 stood at $US440m while FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will have about $69m
- Letter calling for equal prize money already at FIFA
Women’s national team have called on FIFA to equalize the prize money for men’s and women’s world cup.
It has been reported that 150 players from 25 national teams across the length and breath of the world appended their signatures to the letter. Players are also demanding same level of conditions and resources.
The letter calls on FIFA to make three major reforms that helps to “set a path for women’s footballers to have viable economic prospects through FIFA’s reach, resources, and already-stated statutory commitments to non-discrimination.”
Key reforms demanded include equal regulations and conditions, the size of staff delegations, and access to facilities and training venues.
Furthermore, players are demanding to receive at least 30 per cent of Women’s World Cup prize money “so that our sport continues to develop professionally”. The current arrangement is that FIFA gives the prize money to national federations instead of the players. Players have, most often than not, failed to receive a share with federations channeling the money to other projects.
Some key points in the letter
Part of the letter reads : “You, as FIFA, have stated that ‘women’s football is the single biggest growth opportunity in football today, and it remains a top priority for FIFA. Although the game has grown exponentially at all levels, the passion and rising popularity of the sport offers vast untapped potential.”
Women find the global game “profoundly unequal” for women with players “coming in … as amateurs or semi-professional, which undermines their preparation and, in turn, the quality of the football we see on the pitch”.
The letter disparages the enormous gap in prize money with the man’s game being given $$US440m about at the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar. The 2019 Women’s World Cup had a paltry total prize pot of $US30 million. FIFA have said the 2023 edition would likely “double” the 2019 prize money.
The letter, calling FIFA to equalize prize money men’s and women’s world cups, has been backed by FIFPro. FIFPro is global union boasting of over 65,000 clients.
