16 March 2023 , 17:46
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FIFA has said the 2027 Women's World Cup will be the first to match the men's tournament in terms of prize money.
There is currently over a $300million difference in prize pots between the two competitions. But the next editions of both will see FIFA close the gap, after an announcement from president Gianni Infantino.
He also announced that FIFA has dropped plans to see Saudi Arabia become a sponsor at this year's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. This follows a public backlash from the co-hosts, as well as leading players about the proposed deal.
The money given to teams from the prize fund in the 2027 tournament, will match the men's 2026 World Cup, which will be held across three countries - United States, Canada and Mexico. The Women's World Cup prize money is rising to $110m for this year's tournament, from $30m for the last edition, held in France back in 2019.
The decision was announced at FIFA Congress, which is currently taking place in Rwanda. Prize money has been a hot topic in the women's game in recent years with top international female players lobbying their global union FIFPRO to push FIFA for equal pay.
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The union welcomed the news by stating: "The progress announced today demonstrates the intent of the players and Fifa to work proactively towards greater equity and equality for the industry."
Gianni Infantino spoke at the FIFA Congress in Kigali, Rwanda (Tom Dulat/FIFA via Getty Images)The USA national team, who have won the last two World Cups, bid for equal pay after winning the tournament in France 2019. Their claim was initially dismissed by a court, with the team seeking $66million in damages under the Equal Pay Act. However, they eventually reached an agreement with US Soccer over the issue in February 2022, with superstar striker Alex Morgan saying the game had taking a "monumental step forward."
On the issue of Saudi sponsorship, Infantino said: ""At the end this discussion didn't lead into a contract," he said, calling the affair "a storm in a teacup."
Previously it was widely reported that talks had taken place between FIFA and Visit Saudi, about a sponsorship deal for the 2023 tournament.
The 2023 Women's World Cup takes place in July and August this year and is the first ever edition to include 32 teams, using the same format that has been employed at recent men's World Cups. Earlier at FIFA's congress Infantino was re-elected as president for another four year term, having held the position since 2016.