The much-anticipated Women’s World Cup is set to kick off with New Zealand and Australia co-hosting the thrilling opening matches against Norway and Ireland.
In an unprecedented move, FIFA President Gianni Infantino has announced that each of the 732 players participating in the tournament will receive a minimum payment of $30,000.
This significant boost in financial support has the potential to be life-changing for many athletes, especially considering the current average annual salary for professional women’s players stands at a modest $14,000.
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Addressing the issue of payments, Infantino clarified that FIFA cannot directly guarantee payments to players. Instead, the funds will be provided to the national federations, who will then be responsible for distributing the money to their respective players.
The FIFA president cited complications related to residency and taxation, which are better handled by the federations. However, Infantino expressed optimism, assuring that FIFA maintains constant communication with all associations to ensure a smooth payment process.
FIFA’s commitment to allocating half of the total prize money fund of $110 million to the players demonstrates a clear determination to bridge the gender pay gap.
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This marks a significant increase from the $30 million prize fund distributed at the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France, showcasing progress being made in women’s soccer.
The global players’ union, FIFPRO, played a crucial role in advocating for fairer conditions and prize money for female players. Collaborating with players from 25 national teams, FIFPRO sent a compelling letter to FIFA in October last year, urging for more equitable treatment in the realm of women’s soccer.
As the Women’s World Cup commences, the promise of a minimum payment of $30,000 to each player brings newfound hope and financial security to the participating athletes.
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While challenges regarding payments remain, FIFA’s commitment to gender equality and the support of organizations like FIFPRO demonstrate a positive shift toward a more inclusive and rewarding future for women in soccer.
