As the Women’s World Cup final between England and Spain nears, FIFA president Gianni Infantino touted the tournament’s success and a bright future for the women’s game.
Confirming FIFA broke even on the Women’s World Cup as it had projected, Infantino reported the tournament generated more than $570 million in revenue. “We didn’t lose any money,” he said. “And we generated the second-highest income of any sport besides, of course, the men’s World Cup, at the global stage.”
Disparity in prize money between this tournament ($110 million) and the men’s World Cup in Qatar ($440 million) dominated headlines ahead of the event, and Infantino once again addressed the issue of equal pay, something he previously said he hopes to achieve by 2027.
“We are going in that direction already,” he said. “But that would not solve anything. It might be a symbol, but it would not solve anything, because it’s one month every four years, and it’s a few players out of the thousands and thousands of players.”
“I say to all the women that you have the power to change,” Infantino added. “Pick the right battles, pick the right fights. You have the power to change. You have the power to convince us, men, what we have to do.”
The World Cup final is Sunday at 6 a.m. ET on Fox and Telemundo.
Game Within The Game
On Sunday, the financial stakes are high for Nike and Adidas, the respective kit providers for England and Spain.
Jersey sales for the eventual champion are likely to spike after the final. Although another USWNT victory could have brought an even bigger cash windfall, neither England nor Spain have won a Women’s World Cup before, which could increase collectability.
