FIFA recently made a historic announcement regarding the upcoming Women's World Cup, signalling progress towards gender equality in the sport. For the first time, players participating in the tournament will receive individual fees directly from the global governing body. This decision is a significant step forward in recognizing and valuing the contributions of women in football.

Under the newly revealed payout structure, members of the winning team will be awarded $270,000 (£217,000) each following the conclusion of the tournament, which will be held in Australia and New Zealand. Even players whose journey ends in the group stage will receive a substantial sum of $30,000 (£24,000) individually.

As the tournament progresses, the individual fees will increase, surpassing some players' club salaries. This means that the compensation provided by FIFA for participating in the Women's World Cup will exceed what certain players earn in their regular club contracts.

FIFA's 2022 benchmarking report highlighted a concerning reality: the average salary for paid women's football players is a meager $14,000 (£11,300). Recognizing the urgency for change, the players' union, Fifpro, celebrated this development as a result of extensive collective action by over 150 national team players. In November, these international players united by sending a letter to FIFA, advocating for greater financial equity and improved conditions. One of their key demands was for players to receive a significant share of the prize money directly.

FIFA's commitment to promoting equality is evident in the increased financial support for the tournament. The organization will distribute a total of $152 million (£122 million), more than triple the amount paid in 2019. Out of this sum, $110 million (£88.4 million) will be allocated to a performance-based fund, $11.5 million (£9.3 million) for the club benefits program, and $30.7 million (£24.5 million) as preparation funds.

Furthermore, participating member associations will receive $1,560,000 (£1,254,224) for their involvement in the group stage, with the amount rising to $4,290,000 (£3,449,117) for the tournament winners.