FIFA President Gianni Infantino Backs Women’s World Cup To Be A Success But Casts Doubts Over Prize Money Distribution

Forbes Business SportsMoney FIFA President Gianni Infantino Backs Women’s World Cup To Be A Success But Casts Doubts Over Prize Money Distribution Samindra Kunti Contributor Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. A freelance journalist covering European and international soccer Following Jul 18, 2023, 11:53pm EDT | Press play to listen to this article! Got it! Share to Facebook Share to Twitter Share to Linkedin AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND – JULY 19: FIFA President Gianni Infantino during the Official Opening Press . .

. [+] Conference – FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 at Park Hyatt hotel on July 19, 2023 in Auckland / Tmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Harold Cunningham – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) FIFA via Getty Images FIFA president Gianni Infantino has expressed confidence that the 2023 Women’s World Cup will win over sceptics and break even financially.

However, the football boss said that his organization could not guarantee the distribution of prize money directly to players participating in the tournament. Infantino addressed the media in the capital of New Zealand where the co-host is set to kick off the tournament against Norway on Thursday. He lightened the atmosphere by joking, “If you’re eager to know how I’m feeling today, I must admit I’m tired from the journey, but overall, I’m very happy.

” After attending the Gold Cup final in the United States on Sunday and making a stopover in Tahiti, Infantino arrived in New Zealand to watch the prestigious women’s tournament. However, as the teams gear up for the competition, there is a prevailing cloud of pay disputes and a sense that the prize money for the women’s tournament still lags significantly behind. In June, FIFA announced that every player participating in the tournament would receive a minimum of $30,000, with the 23 players from the championship-winning team receiving $270,000 each.

Zurich, the governing body, increased the prize money for the Women’s World Cup to $110 million and pledged over half of FIFA’s total prize money fund to the players of the 32 squads. However, Infantino explained that the matter is not as straightforward as it seems, even after the world players union FIFA called on the organization to provide a “global guarantee” that 30% of the prize money would be allocated to the players. “We have issued recommendations but we are an association of associations,” explained Infantino.

“So whatever payments we do will be through the associations, and then the associations will make the relevant payments to their own players. MORE FOR YOU Telemundo Kicks Off FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Coverage FC Barcelona Star Receives Manchester City Offer Reports America s Number 10 Lionel Messi Welcomed To Inter Miami In Lavish Unveiling Ceremony ”But we are in touch with all the associations, and there are all different situations in different parts of the world — taxation, residence, and so on, which require special agreements that are agreements for some associations with the players from before, of course. “So, I think we have been taking some groundbreaking decisions and it’s far from the end of the story.

” Infantino emphasized that the prize pot for the tournament has risen significantly from the $30 million on offer at the previous finals in 2018 in France. However, the $110 million prize pool still falls significantly short of the $440 million available for the men’s World Cup. FIFA has stated its intention to achieve pay parity by 2027.

“Well, you know, today is the eve of the opening game of the Women’s World Cup and for me, it’s a moment to focus on the positive, focus on the happiness, focus on the joy,” said Infantino. “Until the 20th of August, you will hear from me only positive things about everything and everyone. ”If somebody’s still not happy about something, well, I’m so sorry.

I am happy with everything and I love everyone. As of the 21st of August, we focus on some other issues around the world and all the problems that are coming up. ” In the past, FIFA bundled the sale of media rights and sponsorships for the men’s World Cup along with the women’s tournament, which meant that the Women’s World Cup in reality was a freebie for broadcast.

For the 2023 tournament, Zurich for the first time commercialized the broadcast rights separately, leading Infantino to claim that this edition – the ninth iteration of the tournament – will break even. FIFA previously threatened a blackout in several major European markets because of low broadcast offers. “The financial element was not the most important — we didn’t make 10 times more than what was offered or 100 times more than what was offered before,” said the FIFA president.

”But we added this promotion element and this is the way, for me, forward to promote the women’s game. It’s the most effective way to grow women’s football. ” On Thursday, New Zealand will get the finals underway before co-hosts Australia take on Ireland at a sold-out Stadium Australia.

It’s the first time the tournament will see 32 participants and the United States will be gunning for a third consecutive title. “Many people who believe that women’s football is still not a great game, or it’s not so entertaining or it’s kind of a bad copy of men’s football or some stuff like that – well when they watch a game for the first time they will actually see that it’s a fantastic game,” said Infantino. “The level has grown incredibly in the last 10 years and the best are coming here.

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