The world football governing body, FIFA, has increased the prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup by 300% compared to the 2019 global women’s showpiece in France.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino made the announcement in Kigali, Rwanda after being re-elected for another four-year term as president by the 211-member Congress.
He announced that the pot will be $152m (just under R2,8b), up from $50m (R918m) since the last tournament four years ago.
The prize money still pales in significance when compared to the 2022 men’s World Cup, which stands at $440m (just over R8b), but something is being done about it.
There are plans in place to equal the prize money by the 2027 Women’s World Cup, to match the 2026 men’s World Cup.
“Today, (we are) embarking on a historic journey for women’s football and for equality,” said the FIFA President.
“A total package of USD 152 million would be on offer at this year’s tournament – three times more than at the previous FIFA Women’s World Cup in France four years ago and over 10 times more than the amount offered at the 2015 tournament in Canada. This new approach to distribution of tournament funding will see basic prize money replaced with USD 110 million allocated to participant member associations, compared to USD 30 million in 2019 and USD 15 million in 2015. Now, for the first time ever, a dedicated proportion of this funding will be ringfenced for participating players that take part in the competition, ensuring that they are adequately compensated for their contribution and work, with the balance being retained by member associations for reinvestment in their footballing activities.”
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will feature a historic 32 teams, increased from 24 that played in France.
In addition, FIFA has put aside funds to ensure that participants at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup will enjoy equal conditions and services to those at the men’s FIFA World Cup in Qatar last year.
“This will be a reality…the same conditions as 2022 will be for the players and coaching staff for the (FIFA) Women’s World Cup 2023,” the FIFA President said.
“Number of delegates per team, the level of international and domestic travel for the tournament, accommodation standards and rooms, team base camps and facilities, amongst other services extended by FIFA to participating teams will be delivered to the same level as those delivered to the men last year, and into the future.”
Infantino has also called on broadcasters and TV networks to play their part.
“Broadcasters need to follow the example by offering more to televise the FIFA Women’s World Cup. FIFA is stepping up, but unfortunately this is not the case for everyone across the industry. Broadcasters and sponsors have to do more in this respect, for FIFA, for the confederations, for the member associations, for everyone,” said the FIFA President.
“FIFA is receiving between 10- and 100-times inferior offers for the (FIFA) Women’s World Cup than for the men’s World Cup. The news I have for those broadcasters or sponsors who don’t want to offer similar amounts than for the men’s World Cup is simply that we’re not going to sell women’s football and a Women’s World Cup at these prices.”
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup runs from 20 July to 20 August, and will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
By Matlhomola Morake
