KIGALI:
Prize money in the upcoming Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be tripled in the final edition in 2019, the president of FIFA. Gianni Infantino was announced on Thursday, as he also revealed that Saudi Arabian tourists will not support the tournament.
In his speech at the FIFA Council in Kigali after being re-elected for a third term as president, Infantino said that the total amount, including prize money as well as awards for preparations and clubs, is $ 152 million.
It’s up from $50 million in 2019 and just $15 million in the first round in Canada four years ago.
Of the Women’s World Cup in July and August will be the first 32 teams, from the 24 teams that went to the 2019 edition that was held in France and won by the United States.
The figure pales in comparison to the $440 million in prize money for the 32-team 2022 men’s World Cup.
According to Infantino, some broadcasters offered 100 times to reduce the coverage of the women’s competition although seeing the figures is “the same, maybe 20 percent less”.
“FIFA is stepping up not only with words but with actions. Unfortunately, this is not the case with everyone in the industry. The media and the supporters must be do more in this situation,” he said.
“If the broadcasters offer us 100 million for the men’s World Cup, they offer us one million or less for the women’s, and at the same time these same media general… criticizing FIFA for not ensuring equal pay for men and women.
“Give us 20 percent less, or 50 percent less, not 100 percent less. Women should be much, much more than that and we are here to fight for them and them, but we must fight together.”
The announcement of the increase in prize money was praised by the world players’ union FIFPro, which said in a statement that “the progress announced today shows the hope of The players and FIFA work hard towards greater equality and equity for the industry.”
Meanwhile, Infantino said that a sponsorship agreement with Saudi tourists for the World Cup will not happen.
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