Women's World Cup prize money: FIFA approves 2023 increase as they look to match men's pay by 2027

Players and teams received a welcome boost in prize money from FIFA ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup.

After dishing out a record sum of prize money at the 2022 men's World Cup, football's governing body agreed to increase the earnings on offer at the women's tournament played in Australia and New Zealand across July and August in 2023.

While still well short of what male teams can win, the increase is significant as FIFA eyes equality pay by 2027.

The Sporting News breaks down the change and prize money differences below.

MORE: Which teams have qualified for the 2023 Women's World Cup?

Women's World Cup prize money 2023

FIFA confirmed there would be $110 million (£91m/AU$165m) in prize money up for grabs for teams at the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

This is a significant increase upon the originally reported $60m and three times more than the $30m on offer in 2019.

On top of the $110m, a further $30m was allocated to preparation and $11m to clubs with players involved at the Women's World Cup.

It's currently unclear how exactly prize money for the 2023 tournament will be distributed, but at Qatar 2022, winners Argentina pocketed just under a tenth of the total prize money provided by FIFA.

#FIFPRO, its member unions, and the players welcome FIFA’s announcement regarding conditions and prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup following a letter signed by #FIFPRO and 150 players from 25 national teams calling for change. pic.twitter.com/entKDTiy2u

— FIFPRO (@FIFPRO) March 16, 2023

How does the prize money compare to the 2022 World Cup?

While the 2023 Women's World Cup has welcomed a healthy boost in prize money, it still pales in comparison to what was on offer for men at the 2022 World Cup.

FIFA provided $440 million in prize money for the Qatar tournament — four times more than what the women are fighting for in 2023.

Despite the current gender gap, FIFA president Gianni Infantino hopes to close it completely by the 2027 Women's World Cup with the latest prize money increase part of a three-step plan for equality.

"FIFA is stepping up, but unfortunately this is not the case for everyone across the industry," Infantino said.

"Broadcasters and sponsors have to do more in this respect, for FIFA, for the confederations, for the member associations, for everyone. FIFA is receiving between 10 and 100times inferior offers for the Women's World Cup than for the Men's World Cup.

"The news I have for those broadcasters or sponsors who don't want to offer similar amounts than for the men's World Cup is simply that we're not going to sell women's football and a Women's World Cup at these prices."

On the eve of the 2023 final between Spain and England, Infantino then suggested it was up to women in the game to force the issue and "convince us men what we have to do and what we don't have to do" when it comes to prize money.

"With men, with FIFA, you will find open doors. Just push the doors," he said.

"This World Cup generated over $570 million in revenues, and so we broke even. We didn't lose any money and we generated the second highest income of any sport, besides of course the men's World Cup, at a global stage.

"And I say to all the women — and you know I have four daughters, so I have a few at home — that you have the power to change. Pick the right battles. Pick the right fights."

Women's World Cup prize money all-time breakdown

Despite being held since 1991, it was only in 2007 that the Women's World Cup was allocated a set amount of prize money.

Thankfully, since then, the amount FIFA has allocated has risen rapidly as women's football itself grows on and off the pitch.