FIFA’s commitment to closing the financial gap between men’s and women’s football is facing renewed scrutiny, with the global governing body under pressure to deliver a concrete equal pay framework before the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The dispute has now moved beyond calls for improved financial rewards, as FIFPRO and several national players’ unions have reportedly sought legal advice on possible action if FIFA fails to guarantee equal prize money for players at the women’s tournament.
According to The Athletic, the players’ representatives are exploring their legal options while pushing for a financial arrangement that would bring the men’s and women’s World Cups closer to parity.
FIFPRO has reportedly written to FIFA proposing proportional equality in prize money, while insisting that players at the women’s tournament should receive a minimum guaranteed share of 30 per cent of the total prize pool.
The proposed arrangement would be adjusted to account for the number of participating teams and matches.
“When adopted, these proposals will ensure: equal pay for equal work for both women and men,” the reported letter stated.
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The campaign has attracted support from players representing some of the biggest names in women’s football, including reigning world champions Spain, England and the United States women’s national team. Representatives from other countries in the current top 10 of the FIFA women’s world rankings have also reportedly backed the proposals.
The renewed push places FIFA’s previous commitment to financial equality under the spotlight. In 2023, president Gianni Infantino declared that the organisation was working towards equal prize money for the winners of the 2026 men’s World Cup and the 2027 women’s tournament.
However, the financial projections for Brazil 2027 suggest that the gap could remain substantial despite an expected increase in the women’s competition’s prize fund.
Reports indicate that FIFA intends to double the prize money available at the 2027 Women’s World Cup compared with the 2023 edition. Yet even with that increase, the women’s tournament would still fall significantly short of the $871 million allocated to participating teams at the 2026 men’s World Cup.
FIFA and FIFPRO have acknowledged that discussions are continuing, although their joint position suggests that negotiations are still focused on developing a broader financial framework rather than announcing an agreement on equal prize money.
“FIFPRO and FIFA have been working collaboratively for several years to improve financial compensation and conditions for players to ensure the FIFA Women’s World Cup remains a global benchmark,” the joint statement said.
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The organisations also disclosed that talks were ongoing over a new financial framework for Brazil 2027. Beyond prize money, the proposed arrangement would introduce enhanced financial distributions for the first time to reward national associations and players involved in the qualifying campaign.
They also reiterated their commitment to improving players’ welfare while supporting the sustainable development and professionalisation of women’s football.
“Both organisations are positive about progress made in discussions so far,” the statement added.
That optimism, however, has not removed the pressure on FIFA to turn its stated ambition into measurable financial commitments. With players’ unions now considering possible legal action, the negotiations ahead of Brazil 2027 could become a significant test of how quickly the governing body is prepared to address the prize money disparity in the women’s game.
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