The Lionesses players could take home almost a quarter of a million pounds each if they win the Women's World Cup this year after a huge financial boost from FIFA.
FIFA has announced the exact amount of prize-money each player will receive after the pot has more than trebled for the women in the last three years alone. 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.
There is however still currently over a $300million difference in prize pots between the men's and women's competitions, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed back in March that prize money will be equal by 2027.
This year's boost takes the women's game one step closer towards the men's World Cup and this year for the women, each player will earn at least £24,000 for participating.
Each squad of up to 23 players will receive a guaranteed amount depending on what stage their team reaches in the tournament (all money amounts are in U.S. dollars):
- Group stage: $30,000
- Round of 16: $60,000
- Quarterfinal: $90,000
- Fourth place: $165,000
- Third place: $180,000
- Second place: $195,000
- Winners: $270,000
The players' union FIFPRO had challenged FIFA to secure a "global guarantee" that 30 per cent of the prize money would go to players.
"Players are united behind simple yet concrete demands for greater professionalization of the FIFA Women's World Cup," FIFPRO said in March.
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.
