For the first time, each player at the Women’s World Cup will be paid a minimum of $30,000

A group of players around the world asked FIFA late last year to increase the prize money for this summer’s Women’s World Cup. There had been pleas from the women before to increase those funds, but this time it was different.

Not only did the players want a prize pool equal to that of the men’s World Cup, they also wanted a guarantee that a percentage of the prize money would go directly to the players themselves.

While not a true tie with the Men’s World Cup, FIFA did indeed increase the prize pool for the women’s tournament by more than three times that of the 2019 event in France.

But more than that, the football board agreed in June that some of that money should be paid directly to the players – all 732 of them. Each player earns at least $30,000 US, with the amount increasing as the team progresses in the league. tournament. The 23 players on the title-winning team will each receive $270,000.

That’s important for many of the players, who in some cases don’t have club teams that pay salaries, are semi-pros or even amateurs. FIFA released a report last year stating that the average salary for female players was $14,000 a year.

Not only that, the conditions the players will experience on the ground in Australia and New Zealand – such as travel and accommodation – are now fair to those of the men.

“We still have a ways to go, but it’s huge that they’re getting the payments made to the players – it’s a life-changing thing for a lot of these players entering the tournament. To leave with every player making $30,000 is huge , because usually that money goes to federations and those players see none or a lot of that money,” said American forward Alex Morgan.

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$152 million fund for 32 teams at the World Cup

A $152 million fund was established for the first 32-team Women’s World Cup. The total includes prize money, team preparation and payments to player clubs. That’s a big boost from the 2019 Women’s World Championship in France, which had a $40 million fund, with $30 million in prize money.

In contrast, the prize pool for the Men’s World Cup last year in Qatar was $440 million. The countries eliminated after the group stage earned $9 million each.

FIFPRO, the global players’ union, supported the effort of 150 players from 25 countries – including the United States, Japan and Germany – to push FIFA for fairer terms. The result was a letter to FIFA President Gianni Infantino dated October 19, 2022. The Associated Press obtained a copy of the letter.

“It’s really positive that we’ve shown them (the players) what is possible through their collective voice – through their collective action and the solidarity they have among themselves – and this really intrinsic, inherent drive to want to advance the women’s game and are creating sustainable models for themselves and for the industry at large,” said Sarah Gregorius, FIFPRO’s Director of Global Policy and Strategic Relations for Women’s Soccer.

“It just shows what happens when players come together, united behind very clear principles for change for themselves, but also a legacy for future players,” she added.

Earlier this year, Infantino said the ultimate goal is equality between the men’s and women’s competitions against the 2026 Men’s World Cup and the 2027 Women’s edition.

The US negotiated equal pay with its male counterparts in a groundbreaking agreement reached last year that will split tournament winnings equally among all players. But the United States is the only country that has such an arrangement.

For many teams at the World Cup, that kind of equality is not realistic. So the $30,000 could mean a college education, even a down payment on a house. And for those who aren’t paid well – if at all – by their clubs, it could mean a chance to play without having another job.

“That’s a lot of money, and it can be used for a lot of things. I’m sure a lot of my teammates are happy with that money. I’m definitely happy with that money,” said Michelle Alozie, who plays for Nigeria and the Houston Dash of the National Women’s Soccer League.

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Prize pool trickles down

The prize money trickles down to all participating teams. The 16 countries that exit the group stage will receive a total of $2.25 million each from FIFA – $690,000 to be distributed among the players and $1,560,000 for the federation.

FIFA will pay $10.5 million to the title-winning country. Most of that, $6.21 million, will be distributed among the players, with the remaining $4.29 million going to the federation.

In addition to helping pay the players, the teams and federations that have not often been on the big stage also benefit. Each team will receive nearly $1 million in prep funds.

“It means a lot to every player who’s in that tournament because it really means the women’s game has finally taken the steps we’ve been fighting for,” said U.S. defenseman Crystal Dunn. “We play for federations to make their players better. And I think this prize money is a testament to all our fights – the collective fight.

“When we enter the field, yes, we are opponents, but at the end of the day, we are all fighting to make this game grow, and for everyone.”

Canada World Cup squad

keepers:

• Sabrina D’Angelo, Welland, Ontario, Arsenal (England)
• Lysian Proulx, Boucherville, Que., SCU Torreense (Portugal)
• Kailen Sheridan, Whitby, Ontario, San Diego Wave (NWSL)

Defenders:

• Kadeisha Buchanan, Chelsea (England)
• Gabriel Carle, Levis, Que., Washington Spirit (NWSL)
• Allysha Chapman, Courtice, Ontario, Houston Dash (NWSL)
• Vanessa Gilles, Ottawa, Olympique Lyonnais (France)
• Ashley Lawrence, Caledon East, Ontario, Chelsea (England)
• Jayde Riviere, Markham, Ontario, Manchester United (England)
• Shelina Zadorsky, Kitchener and London, Ont., Tottenham Hotspur (England)

midfielders:

• Simi Awujo, Atlanta, USC
• Jessie Fleming, London, Ontario, Chelsea (England)
• Julia Grosso, Vancouver, Juventus (Italy)
• Quinn, Toronto, OL Government (NWSL)
• Sophia Schmidt, Abbotsford, BC, Houston Dash (NWSL)

Midfielders/Forwards:

• Christine Sinclair (capt.), Maple Ridge, BC, Portland Thorns (NWSL)
• Olivia Smith, Whitby, Ontario, Penn State

Forward:

• Jordyn Huitema, Chilliwack, BC, OL Government (NWSL)
• Cloe Lacasse, Sudbury, Ontario, Arsenal (England)
• Adriana Leon, Maple and King City, Ont., Manchester United (England)
• nichell prince, Ajax, Ontario, Houston Dash (NWSL)
• deanne rose, Alliston, Ontario, Reading (England)
• Evelyn Viens, L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que., Kristianstads DFF (Sweden)