WATCH: Australian Football Squad Criticise World Cup Prize Money Gender Disparity

Every member of the Australian World Cup squad has criticised the disparity in prize money between the men’s and women’s teams.

The World Cup, which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, kicks off this week with the Irish team set to play their first match against Australia this Thursday.

In a video shared by the Australian Professional Players Union (PFA), members of the Matildas squad criticised the stark difference in prize money offered to the winning women’s team compared to their male counterparts.

The team also called for collective bargaining rights for players from all nations competing in the World Cup.

In the video, Australian midfielder Clare Wheeler says: “736 footballers have the honour of representing their countries on the biggest stage this tournament,” while defender Clare Hunt adds: “Yet many are still denied the basic right to organise and collectively bargain.”

“Collective bargaining has allowed us to ensure we now get the same conditions as the Socceroos, with one exception: Fifa will still only offer women one-quarter as much prize money as men for the same achievement,” says Midfielder Tameka Yallop.

With the @FIFAWWC kicking off this Thursday, our @TheMatildas have a message for those who paved the way. For those who broke down barriers and fought for progress. For the past. For the future.

For those within our football community, our fans, our sponsors, our politicians,… pic.twitter.com/gVImezbX30

— Professional Footballers Australia (@thepfa) July 16, 2023

“We call on those who run the game to work to provide opportunities for girls and women in football, whether that be players, coaches, administrators or officials.”

As it stands, the prize money for the Women’s World Cup currently stands at $110m (€98m), while the men’s pot came in at $440m (€392.1m) last year. Female football players are this year playing for 300% more than what they were in the 2019 World Cup, yet the pay disparity between both tournaments remains.

New Zealand midfielder Olivia Chance told Reuters their team are always going to continue to “push for equal”.

“We are pushing for better standards of the game and I think it’s only natural when you see an organisation that maybe are giving more – because they always have – then you’re going to push for equal,” she said.

“In a workplace, if you see someone getting more, you’re going to push,” she added, noting that she had not yet seen the video message. “That’s just natural as a human being.”

Earlier this year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the the organisation plans to eradicate winnings disparity by 2026 and 2027.

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