Nigerian women footballers are set to experience unprecedented financial support as they
prepare for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in New Zealand and Australia in 2023.
For the first time in the history of the tournament, FIFA has decided to distribute a portion of the prize money directly to the players themselves, rather than to their national federations.
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Each player participating in the Women’s World Cup will be guaranteed a minimum of
$30,000 (N22.5 million), a significant increase compared to previous editions.
The total prize pool for the tournament stands at $110 million (N82.5 billion), a staggering 300% higher than what was offered in the 2019 edition. The winning team, comprised of 23 players, will take home $270,000 (N202.5 million), ensuring that their efforts and achievements are rewarded accordingly.
The minimum prize money of $30,000 exceeds the average annual salary of $14,000 (N10.5 million) reported in FIFA’s 2022 benchmarking report for paid players. This financial boost is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of the players, providing them with better support and opportunities within the sport.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced this groundbreaking initiative in March at the
FIFA Congress, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to prioritize the well-being and
financial stability of the players. This move marks a significant step forward for gender equity in women’s football.
In addition to the direct financial support for players, FIFA will also increase funding for
member associations based on performance. The winning team will receive $4.29 million
(N3.2 billion), while participating delegations will earn $1.56 million (N1.17 billion) for
competing in the group stage.
This additional funding aims to strengthen footballing activities within member associations, including investments in coaching staff, grassroots projects, youth national teams, and women’s football capacity-building programs.
While the prize funds for the Women’s World Cup have significantly increased, they still fall short of the amounts awarded in the men’s tournament. In 2022, the men’s World Cup boasted a total prize fund of $440 million (N330 billion).
However, FIFA’s efforts to redistribute funds and promote greater gender equity within the sport have been applauded by the world footballers’ union, Fifpro. They view this development as the result of collective action and constructive negotiations, which will contribute to the growth and fairness of women’s football at the highest levels.
With these unprecedented financial incentives and increased support from FIFA, Nigerian
women footballers are poised to enter the 2023 Women’s World Cup with confidence and
optimism, representing their nation proudly on the global stage.
