FIFA has doubled the overall prize fund to $30M since the last Women's World Cup in '15GETTY IMAGES
While FIFA's annual financial report underscores the governing body's "financial vitality," it also "highlights the glaring disparity between men's and women's soccer," according to Rob Harris of the AP. For example, France's men's national team earned $38M from FIFA for winning last year's World Cup in Russia, but the women's champion this July will earn just $4M. What is "most upsetting to critics" is the fact that the financial gulf "appears to be growing." FIFA has "doubled the overall prize money fund" to $30M since the last Women's World Cup in Canada in '15, but that total amount is less than the $40M increase that men's World Cup prize money will get in '22 -- for a total of $440M. The world players' union said that the disparity is a "reflection of FIFA's priorities as well as of the status of women's soccer." Exactly how much money women's soccer generates is "unclear, as much of FIFA's revenue comes from top sponsors who are signed up for both World Cups." Visa last week said it would support "women's football with a marketing investment equal to our support of the men's FIFA World Cup in Russia." But the company "did not disclose any figures" (AP, 3/6).
EXPANDED FIELD IN '22? Harris reports plans to expand the ‘22 World Cup in Qatar to 48 teams “will be assessed” by FIFA’s ruling council next week. FIFA President Gianni Infantino has said that fast-tracking the increase, which was due to start in ‘26, would “require using additional countries beyond Qatar,” as the country’s infrastructure is “already stretched.” To “fit in 16 additional games, FIFA is looking at using Kuwait and Oman” (AP, 3/7). Infantino would "not send games to countries currently leading a political and economic blockade of Qatar," like the UAE (NYTIMES.com, 3/6).
