Each player is guaranteed to earn at least $30,000 at next month’s Women’s World Cup, FIFA says, with winners taking home $270,000.
Women’s football is at an all-time high but there are concerns from players that its growing popularity is not reflected in what they earn, especially compared to men.
The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will begin on July 20 and when it’s over, players from 32 teams are guaranteed at least $30,000.
That amount increases depending on how far teams go in the tournament, which ends on August 20.
The average salary for female players is $14,000, a fraction of what their counterparts earn in men’s soccer, according to FIFA.
FIFA said the ring-fencing of money for players was a first and its investment tripled that of the Women’s World Cup in France four years ago.
Global players’ union FIFPRO welcomed the move, saying FIFA had “heard the voices of the players”.
“We have taken steps towards greater gender equality at the highest level of our game,” FIFPro said.
“The legacy of this action is by the players, for the players, both today and tomorrow.”