World Cup Spotlights Huge Gender Disparity in Prize Money

The World Cup offers one of the largest prize pools in global sports — but also presents a striking gender disparity.

The purse for the men’s tournament, which starts on Sunday, is more than 10 times that of the Women’s World Cup in 2019.

• FIFA will distribute $440 million to the 32 qualifying men’s teams, with the winner receiving $42 million. 
• The most recent Women’s World Cup saw teams bring home $30 million in total, with the victorious U.S. team earning $4 million.
• FIFA is considering doubling the prize pool for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, but the winnings will be divided among 32 teams, instead of the 24 that played in 2019.

In addition to the prize pool, club teams that employed players participating in the World Cup will receive $10,000 for each day that player is involved in the tournament, totaling $209 million over 64 games.

President’s Plea

FIFA president Gianni Infantino called for a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine during the World Cup at the G20 summit of major economies in Indonesia. 

“My plea to all of you, to think on a temporary ceasefire for one month for the duration of the World Cup, or at least the implementation of some humanitarian corridors, or anything that could lead to the resumption of dialogue as a first step to peace,” Infantino said.

Infantino has discouraged players from making political statements during the World Cup, though some teams have spoken out against host country Qatar’s human rights record.