Fifa increases preparation money for Women’s World Cup to match men’s teams
Preparation money for the 2027 Women’s World Cup will match the men’s for the 2026 World Cup and players will be provided with improved flights and individual hotel rooms
Teams in the 2027’s Women’s World Cup in Brazil will receive the same preparation money from Fifa as those that played at the 2026 men’s tournament, the world’s governing body has announced.
The preparation money for the 32 teams has been more than doubled to $2.5m (£1.86m) each. In 2023, the total preparation money for the tournament was $31m; it will now be $80m.
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Every player will be guaranteed business class or chartered flights, as well as their own hotel room rather than having to share. Fifa says this will bring the provisions for the women’s players in line with the men’s World Cup. That is likely be welcomed after the topic caused controversy at previous tournaments.
A survey conducted by the players’ union Fifpro in 2023, after the most recent Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, found 80% of players’ return flight had been in business class. Ninety-four per cent flew in business class on their outbound flights.
The total prize fund for the tournament is yet to be decided. Fifa has named the United States as the host of the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup in January 2028. The Guardian revealed this month the US was lined up to stage the event, with Los Angeles and San Diego among the favoured host cities.
The competition will feature 19 teams, with seven already qualified: Arsenal, Club América Femenil, Barcelona, Gotham FC, Naegohyang from North Korea, Corinthians and Wuhan Jiangda. Six European teams will take part, with the AFC, CAF, Concacaf and Conmebol being represented by three clubs each, plus one team from Oceania.
Fifa’s chief women’s football officer, Sarai Bareman, said: “We undertook a detailed assessment to identify the most suitable host for the inaugural edition of the Women’s Club World Cup. Ultimately, the United States’ recent excellence in staging top Fifa tournaments, combined with the significant interest in women’s football there plus its elite sporting infrastructure, made the country the standout option.
“Alongside the vibrant and passionate women’s football ecosystem in the United States, the qualified clubs, government, host cities, our commercial and media partners and more, our mission will be to set an impressive standard for global women’s club football and a benchmark for the future.”
