Sydney
FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced that the Women’s World Cup has been a remarkable success, generating revenue exceeding $570 million and allowing FIFA to break even financially. Despite increasing the prize money tenfold compared to the 2015 edition, the tournament’s financial success has been attributed to its expanded format and increased popularity. Infantino highlighted that the ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup was a historic milestone for the sport, labeling it as the best and greatest and biggest event of its kind. The decision to expand the tournament’s size from 24 to 32 teams and to raise the prize money has been vindicated by the substantial revenue it generated. Addressing concerns that were raised about the potential financial burden of these changes, Infantino emphasized that even with the prospect of subsidizing the tournament, the results proved positive. The Women’s World Cup not only broke even but also generated over $570 million in revenues, establishing it as the second-highest income-generating global sporting event, following the men’s World Cup. While Infantino refrained from drawing direct comparisons to men’s football, he did acknowledge the ongoing conversations around gender equality in the sport. He encouraged women to continue pushing for change and equality, advising them to pick the right battles and maintain their momentum to achieve a comprehensive form of equality, including not just equal pay, but also equal opportunities and recognition. Infantino’s speech underlined the progress that women’s football has made in recent years, highlighting its financial viability and potential for growth while acknowledging the work that still needs to be done to achieve full equality in the sport.
