USMNT’s World Cup Win Pays Off for USWNT

A four-time World Cup-winning team is finally getting a taste of what it feels like to be paid like one.

With the U.S. men’s national soccer team squeaking into the knockout stage after their 1-0 win over Iran on Tuesday, they will split at least $13 million in prize money with the U.S. women’s team, which won the World Cup in 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019.

• The USWNT earned $6 million combined for their two most recent World Cup championships.
• They are currently set to earn $6.5 million from splitting prize money with the men’s team in the ongoing tournament.
• That figure will bump to $8.5 million for each team if the U.S. prevails over the Netherlands in Saturday’s matchup, and at least $12.5 million if they win the subsequent round.

In total, FIFA will pay out $440 million in prizes to the 32 World Cup teams. The governing body paid out a total of $30 million to women’s teams over the 2019 tournament.

Tilted Field

In February the USWNT agreed to a settlement with the U.S. Soccer Federation, ending a six-year lawsuit.

The settlement included a $24 million payment, $22 million of which went to players, and adjustments to how players are compensated going forward, including splitting World Cup prizes and equal pay for USSF-controlled matches.

Following the settlement, USWNT star and former captain Megan Rapinoe turned her attention to FIFA, saying, “You know what? You’re next.”