FIFPro, an organization that represents professional footballers around the world, has disclosed that FIFA has committed to providing the same conditions for the players at this summer’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as the men get at their soccer showcase.
According to the union, that includes FIFA paying for a 50-person delegation for each team (up from 35 at the 2019 women’s tournament), as well as providing business-class travel and single hotel rooms for the players.
Speaking with newsmen, FIFPro general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said that FIFA, after several months of talks, has confirmed: “that all these conditions will be equalized in this World Cup.”
However, there is more work to be done on equalizing prize money, although FIFA has upped the purse for the women this summer.
It is no longer news that being treated the same as the men, including travel and resources, has been one of the major asks of the Canadian women’s team.
Sarah Gregorius, FIFPro director of policy and strategic relations, women’s football said “The feedback that we got from the players on those experiences and why it’s so important to have the option of single rooms was it’s very draining being at a World Cup, it takes a lot out of you”.
“And the ability to decompress and have time for yourself from a mental well-being and performance perspective is really important. It’s really challenging to do that when you have a roommate.”
Recall that recently, FIFA announced a $152-million US fund for this summer’s Women’s World Cup, which is the first 32-team women’s competition, covering prize money, team preparation and payments to players’ clubs.
Also, FIFA president Gianni Infantino set a target of equal prize money for men and women at their next World Cups Cups, in 2026 and 2027, respectively.
It could be recalled that the 32 men’s teams shared $440 million in prize money at last year’s World Cup in Qatar.
Last October, FIFPro sent FIFA a letter signed by 150 women’s national team players from 25 countries, including Canada, asking FIFA for equal World Cup prize money.
The letter also asked for equal treatment and conditions for women’s teams at the World Cup.
In a recent statement, Infantino said some of the $110 million in women’s prize money at this summer’s World Cup should be dedicated to paying players. FIFPro has asked FIFA to secure a “global guarantee of at least 30 percent of prize money” that is paid to players.
