U.S soccer makes history with equal World Cup prize money split between men’s and women’s teams

---

In a groundbreaking move that sets a new global standard for gender equity in sports, the U.S. Soccer Federation has confirmed that World Cup prize money will be split equally between the men’s and women’s national teams. The announcement comes after the USMNT’s round-of-16 exit at the 2026 World Cup, where they fell 4-1 to Belgium.

The USMNT earned $16 million from FIFA for reaching the knockout stage. Under the terms of the collective bargaining agreements ratified in 2022—following nearly six years of public legal battles by the USWNT for equal pay—that money is not kept solely bthe men’s team.

The Breakdown

Here’s how the $16 million prize is distributed:

· FIFA Prize: $16 million
· U.S. Soccer Federation Cut (20%): $3.2 million
· Remaining Pool (80%): $12.8 million
· Split Equally: Each team receives $6.4 million
· Per Player (26-player rosters): Approximately $246,100 per person

The agreements require U.S. Soccer to pay men’s players within 31 days of receiving the funds from FIFA.

A Hard-Won Victory for Equality

The revenue-sharing structure was forged through years of advocacy by USWNT stars including Megan Rapinoe, Alex Morgan, and Becky Sauerbrunn, who fought for equal treatment despite the women’s team’s superior on-field record. Between 1991 and 2019, the USWNT won four World Cups and four Olympic gold medals, while the men’s best modern finish remained a quarterfinal appearance in 2002.

In May 2022, U.S. Soccer became the first federation in the world to equalize FIFA World Cup prize money for its men’s and women’s senior national teams. The CBAs, which run through 2028, also include identical game bonuses and commercial revenue-sharing agreements.

What Happens Next

The same revenue-sharing model will apply to prize money the USWNT earns at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil. However, there are key conditions:

· The USWNT must first qualify for the 2027 tournament. They face El Salvador on November 27 in a win-and-in Concacaf quarterfinal.
· Until the women’s roster is finalized next spring, the $6.4 million designated for women’s players will be placed in an interest-bearing account. The interest earned will be split equally among all 52 World Cup players (26 men and 26 women).

Additionally, U.S. Soccer pays both men’s and women’s players $10,000 per World Cup match, regardless of the result.

A Global Standard

The move has been hailed as a watershed moment for football worldwide. “This sets a massive global standard for how federations can treat their athletes,” one observer noted. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has previously expressed intent to equalize men’s and women’s World Cup prize money by 2027, though the dramatic increase in the men’s prize pool—nearly doubling from 2022—has complicated that goal.

Had the USMNT advanced past Belgium to the quarterfinals, the payout would have jumped to $20 million, leaving $8 million apiece for the men’s and women’s player pools. Still, even with the round-of-16 exit, the equal split ensures that both teams—and both sets of players—reap the rewards of a historic agreement that continues to reshape the financial landscape of international football.