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July 19 (UPI) — One month after “guaranteeing” that players in the 2023 Women’s World Cup would be paid a minimum of $30,000 each, FIFA President Gianni Infantino expressed uncertainty about the equal allocation of prize money by country associations.
Infantino addressed this issue during a press conference for the upcoming tournament held in Auckland, New Zealand. The 2023 World Cup will take place from Thursday, July 20, to Saturday, August 20, in New Zealand and Australia.
In June, FIFA announced that the prize money pool for the World Cup would be $110 million, ensuring that each player would receive a minimum of $30,000. FIFA will distribute this money to participating countries through their respective federations and associations, who will then be responsible for dispensing the payments.
“We have provided recommendations, but ultimately we are an association of associations,” Infantino stated during the press conference. “So any payments made will be done through the associations. It is then up to the associations to make the necessary payments to their own players.”
Infantino mentioned that FIFA is in communication with the associations and federations, but different regions face varying circumstances. Issues such as taxation and residency requirements will require special agreements, some of which have already been made.
“We have already taken some groundbreaking steps and decisions,” Infantino remarked. “However, this is far from the end of the story. We look forward to working together with the associations and the players to ensure a smooth World Cup in this regard.
“After that, on August 21, we will begin to focus on the future and address other matters as well.”
In recent years, players from several women’s national teams have confronted their federations and associations over the allocation of prize money.
Earlier this month, players from the South African national team accused their association of withholding World Cup bonus payments.
FIFPRO, a global union for professional soccer players, revealed in its “2023 Qualifying Conditions Report” that 29% of surveyed players did not receive payments from their national teams within two weeks of the six confederation championships.
The report also indicated that 93% of players believe that pay and prize money should be increased for these championships.
Infantino refrained from criticizing those responsible for prize money allocation and expressed a desire to maintain a positive outlook on the eve of the World Cup.
“Until August 20, you will only hear positive things about everything and everyone,” Infantino stated. “If someone is still unhappy about something, well, I apologize. I am content with everything and I appreciate everyone.
“Starting August 21, we will shift our focus to other issues around the world and the challenges that arise.”
Infantino also emphasized FIFA’s role in setting an example regarding the support of women’s teams by federations and associations through annual payments.
“First and foremost, we must lead by example ourselves,” Infantino explained. “That is what we have done, I believe. … Rather than simply auditing or monitoring, it involves active engagement.
“We engage with associations around the world, as well as with leagues and clubs. Because in the end … we can only distribute and pay what we generate, and the same goes for clubs, leagues, and associations. It is impossible to ask them to do more if they generate less. However, we all need to work together to promote the game and foster its growth.”
The 2023 Women’s World Cup will feature thirty-two teams. The $110 million prize pool is $80 million more than what was distributed at the 2019 tournament.
In 2022, the United States Soccer Federation announced that players on the rosters for the 2022 Men’s World Cup and the 2023 Women’s World Cup would receive an “equal percentage” of the collective prize money provided by FIFA for participating and performing in the tournaments.
The host country, New Zealand, ranked 26th in the FIFA women’s world rankings, will face Norway, ranked 12th, in the opening game of the 2023 Women’s World Cup at 3 a.m. EDT on Thursday. The match will be broadcasted on Fox.
The top-ranked U.S. women’s team, winners of the last two tournaments and favored to win again, will compete against Vietnam, ranked 32nd, in their group-stage opener at 9 p.m. EDT on Friday. England, Spain, Germany, and Australia are among the other strong contenders for the title.
