AFC will not increase prize money for Women’s Asian Cup in Australia

Prize money for the upcoming Women’s Asian Cup in Australia, which starts on March 1, will remain unchanged from the last edition in 2022, the Asian Football Confederation said; the 2022 tournament introduced prize money for the first time, distributing US$1.8m among the top four teams.

An AFC spokesperson said: “The AFC acknowledges the importance of increasing the prize money of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup participating teams, while noting that the prize money for the upcoming edition in Australia remains consistent with previous editions.” The federation said prize funds are tied to commercial revenues and that revenue from the women’s tournament is “still growing.” The decision has drawn criticism from players and unions.

A Fifpro survey after 2022 found 87% of players said improvements to pay and prize money were needed. Players from a majority of this year’s competing teams signed an open letter requesting consultation on prize money, but that consultation did not occur; it is understood a public campaign is being planned.

Critics pointed to wider disparities: the AFC allocated US$14.8m for the men’s 2023 Asian Cup and gave all 24 teams a participation fee of US$200,000.

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