Chelsea boss Emma Hayes has responded to the news of a huge financial boost from FIFA for this year's Women's World Cup.
This year's £88.5m pool is more than three times the £24m prize fund FIFA paid out at the 2019 Women's World Cup in France, but there is still currently over a $300m (£238m) difference in prize pots between the men's and women's competitions. FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed back in March that prize money will be equal by 2027.
The winners of the 2023 Women's World Cup will take home almost a quarter of a million pounds each, and even just for participating in the group stages, every player will earn at least £24,000.
On the continued disparity, Hayes spoke to Sky Sports about Chelsea's success in the WSL and doing the domestic double, while looking ahead to the World Cup.
"Hopefully they reach an agreement that shows you have to invest in the game and on the world stage you're watching unbelievable football players compete and perform and that the game's only moving in one direction and so continue to invest in it in the right way, because it's inevitable where the growth of the game is going", she said.
Each squad of up to 23 players will receive a guaranteed amount depending on what stage their team reaches in the tournament:
- Group stage: $30,000 (£23.8k)
- Round of 16: $60,000 (£47.7k)
- Quarterfinal: $90,000 (£71.6k)
- Fourth place: $165,000 (£131.4k)
- Third place: $180,000 (£143.3k)
- Second place: $195,000 (£155.3k)
- Winners: $270,000 (£215k)
The news comes as a deal still hasn't been reached to broadcast the tournament on TV. The BBC and ITV are “very close” to striking a joint broadcast deal to show the Lionesses games but there is frustration at FIFA over the bidding process and why TV companies are not trying to do a contract which would also help the growth of the women’s game.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino has called for a “fair deal” for the Women’s World Cup after holding fresh talks with TV bosses, while UK and European Governments have also called for a deal to be made.
The 2023 Women's World Cup takes place in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20 this year and is the first ever edition to include 32 teams, using the same format that has been employed at recent men's World Cups.
