Players' Unions Take Legal Advice Over Equal Prize Money for Women's World Cup

FIFPRO, the international professional footballers' organisation, and national players' unions have reportedly sought legal advice on what to do if Women's World Cup players do not receive prize money equal to that of men's World Cup players.

According to The Athletic, FIFPRO sent a letter to FIFA proposing proportional equal prize money for the men's and women's World Cups, including maintaining the minimum 30 percent guaranteed to players who compete in the Women's World Cup, proportional to the number of teams and games played.

"When adopted, these proposals will ensure: equal pay for equal work for both women and men," the reported letter reads.

The outlet said players from reigning champions Spain, England, the United States women's national team and the rest of the current top 10 in the women's rankings are all signatories to the letter.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino announced in 2023 an "ambition" to have equal prize money for the 2026 and 2027 winners.

Reports have said the FIFA administration will double the 2023 prize pool, but it will still fall well short of the $871 million that was awarded to men's teams for this year's World Cup.

"FIFPRO and FIFA have been working collaboratively for several years to improve financial compensation and conditions for players to ensure the FIFA Women's World Cup remains a global benchmark," the organisations said in a statement, adding that women's national team players have been an integral part of the process and continue to help shape the discussions.

The organisations added they are "working towards a new set of terms for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2027, covering prize money and also, for the first time, enhanced financial distribution that rewards member associations and players who participated in the qualifying phase."

"Both organisations are positive about progress made in discussions so far," they said, noting that their ambition includes equalising prize money but also goes far beyond it.

The Women's World Cup will take place in Brazil, starting on June 24, 2027. The United States will look to recapture the title after being ousted in the round of 16 three years ago following back-to-back victories.