Just days before the highly anticipated Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia, the Australian women’s team has brought attention to the significant prize money disparity between the women’s and men’s tournaments. In a video statement shared on social media by Professional Footballers Australia, the players expressed their disappointment in FIFA, the global governing body of soccer.
“Collective bargaining has allowed us to ensure we now get the same conditions as the Australian men’s national soccer team, with one exception,” the players highlighted. “FIFA will still only offer women one-quarter as much prize money as men for the same achievement.”
FIFA has been contacted for a comment regarding this matter.
FIFA’s Efforts Fall Short of Equality
Earlier this year, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the basic prize money for the Women’s World Cup would be increased to $110 million, up from $30 million in the 2019 tournament. Although this is a substantial increase, it pales in comparison to the staggering $440 million prize money offered at the Men’s World Cup in Qatar last year.
Infantino claimed that FIFA aspires to achieve payment equality between the Men’s and Women’s World Cups by 2026 and 2027, respectively.
New Financial Distribution Model Revealed
Furthermore, FIFA recently introduced a new financial distribution model specifically tailored for the Women’s World Cup. According to FIFA’s details on player payments, teams exiting the tournament at the group stage will be awarded $30,000. As teams progress further in the tournament, these payments will increase accordingly.
The controversy surrounding prize money inequity continues to draw attention ahead of the upcoming Women’s World Cup. The Australian women’s team has taken a stand and brought this issue to light, urging FIFA to address and rectify this disparity once and for all.
Women’s World Cup 2023: Players’ Remuneration and Pay Equity
The upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is set to bring a wave of change in terms of remuneration for the participating players. The new distribution model introduced for this tournament ensures that each individual player can fully rely on fair compensation for their efforts as they progress through the tournament.
In a recent statement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino emphasized the significance of this unprecedented distribution model. According to him, the captain who lifts the iconic FIFA Women’s World Cup Trophy on August 20 in Sydney will receive an impressive sum of $270,000. Notably, this amount will be equally distributed among each of her 22 teammates, creating a sense of equality and fairness.
This shift in remuneration holds immense importance considering the current global salary of women’s professional footballers, which stands at approximately $14,000 annually. The substantial amounts allocated under the new distribution model will undoubtedly have a real and meaningful impact on the lives and careers of these players, empowering them on and off the field.
As the tournament approaches, anticipation grows for the opening game between New Zealand and Norway, taking place on Thursday. Following this exciting start, fans can look forward to the Australian team, known as the Matildas, taking on Ireland later that day.
Amidst the excitement and preparations for the Women’s World Cup 2023, other national teams have been actively advocating for pay equity. A significant milestone was achieved last year when the U.S. women’s national team successfully fought for equal pay compared to their male counterparts. Similarly, the Canadian women’s national team, who emerged victorious with a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, has also been involved in an ongoing battle for pay equity with Canada Soccer.
With fair remuneration and increasing efforts towards pay equity, the Women’s World Cup 2023 not only promises thrilling matches but also stands as a symbol of progress and empowerment for the talented women athletes taking part in this prestigious tournament.