• Loading stock data...
Saturday, July 19, 2025

Women’s World Cup Puts Prize Money Disparity In Spotlight

  • Australia’s national team has called out FIFA over the $300 million pay gap with the men.
  • This World Cup will offer $110 million in prize money compared to $440 million in Qatar.
Matildas/Twitter

Australia’s national women’s soccer team has called out FIFA for offering far less prize money at the Women’s World Cup than it does the men’s event — just days before the 2023 edition begins in their home nation and New Zealand on Thursday.

Professional Footballers Australia — the country’s union for soccer players — released a video featuring the 23 members of Australia’s team taking exception with the $300 million pay gap between the men’s and women’s World Cups. 

“FIFA will still only offer women one-quarter as much prize money as men for the same achievement,” Australian midfielder Tameka Yallop said

Compared to the $440 million the men’s teams played for in Qatar last year, FIFA is paying out just $110 million to teams competing at the Women’s World Cup. The disparity comes after an ugly runup to the World Cup that saw FIFA president Gianni Infantino threaten to black out the games in some European countries due to extremely low offers for broadcasting rights.

Despite finally getting those key deals in place, FIFA has reportedly fallen $100 million short of its goal for overall broadcast fees to show this World Cup around the globe. Media payments will total $200 million, according to the Wall Street Journal. FIFA had been hoping for $300 million.

Amid the financial pains, this Women’s World Cup is on track to break an attendance record with well over 1 million fans expected to attend games — but sales in New Zealand are lagging so far behind that 20,000 free tickets are being given away.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ryan Field Construction
exclusive

First Look Inside Northwestern’s $862 Million New Ryan Field

Five big things FOS learned on our exclusive stadium tour.

Golf’s Prize Money Boom Is Slowing Down

There is no purse increase at The Open Championship.

WNBA Stars Say Zero Progress Made at CBA Meeting

The WNBA and its union had their first in-person meeting Thursday.

New NFLPA Head Will Face Multibillion-Dollar Decisions

The next NFLPA leader will wrestle with a series of pressing issues.

Featured Today

Jul 21, 2024; Ayrshire, SCT; Xander Schauffele celebrates with Claret Jug after winning the Open Championship golf tournament at Royal Troon.

The Boozy History and Traditions of The Open’s Claret Jug

The Open awards the world’s most famous wine decanter.
2025 PDC World Darts Championship Final - Luke Littler vs Michael Van Gerwen
July 16, 2025

A Teen Darts Prodigy Is Becoming Bigger Than the Game Itself

Luke ‘The Nuke’ Littler is cashing in on his devastatingly accurate shot.
May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive
July 13, 2025

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Jun 13, 2018; Moscow, Russia; A general view of a beer stand inside of Luschniki Stadium one day prior to the start of the FIFA World Cup 2018.

Saudi Arabia Says No Alcohol at 2034 World Cup

Saudi Arabia won’t allow alcohol anywhere during the 2034 World Cup.
August 30, 2024

Premier League Transfer Spending Has Already Topped $2 Billion As Deadline Looms

Saudi Pro League teams haven’t yet matched their English counterparts.
January 13, 2025

Gavin Newsom Reveals Status of 2028 Olympics As Los Angeles Wildfires Roar

Gavin Newsom says there’s a “Marshall Plan” to rebuild Los Angeles.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Paralympics Tiktok
August 25, 2024

The Wildly Successful Paralympics TikTok Account Isn’t What You Think

A cheeky TikTok account is opening the world of Paralympic sports.
August 11, 2024

Passing of the Torch: Los Angeles Set for Olympic Firsts in 2028

The city last hosted the Summer Olympics in 1984.
August 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia Submits Bold World Cup Bid That Includes a Cliffside Arena

The Saudis are proposing a new stadium in a futuristic city called Neom.
John John Florence (USA) surfs in men’s round two competition during the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games at Tsurigasaki Surfing Beach.
July 29, 2024

Olympic Surfers Won’t Get Their Full Paris Moment

‘We’re kind of separate off on our own little thing over here.’