CASH SPLASHED FOR WORLD CUP

THE Matildas will be playing for their share of more than $165m in prize money at this year’s FIFA Women‘s World Cup after a massive 300 per cent increase was confirmed.

With club benefits and “preparation money” also given a boost, the total rewards for this year’s 32-team tournament in Australia and New Zealand will surpass $226m.

FIFA has also backflipped on plans for Visit Saudi – the tourism arm of the Saudi Arabian government – to become a major sponsor of the tournament after a public backlash.

After being re-elected as FIFA president, Gianni Infantino said prize money must be dedicated to paying players amid ongoing issues in some countries.

The FIFA boss also expressed his anger with broadcasters for offering too little for TV rights, declaring they would not be sold at the prices being offered. “Women deserve much, much more than that and we are there to fight for them and with them,” he said.

While the prize money has been boosted, it remains will short of the $662m shared by the 32 teams at last year’s men’s World Cup in Qatar.

But Infantino set a target of equal prize money for men and women at their next World Cups, in 2026 and 2027 respectively.

Female players around the world have been fighting for equal pay and equal respect with men’s national teams, including defending champions the US, Canada, France and Spain.

Speaking at FIFA’s Congress in Africa, Infantino, confirmed there has been discussions with Saudi officials about their sponsorship but no contract had been signed.

“There were discussions with Visit Saudi but, in the end, these did not lead to a contract,” he said.

“But, having said that, FIFA is an organisation made up of 211 countries. There is nothing wrong with taking sponsorships from Saudi Arabia, China, United States of America, Brazil or India.”

Infantino even called out a “double standard”, with Football Australia criticising the potential for a deal with Visit Saudi given trade deals exist between the two countries.

“When it comes to Australia, they have trade with Saudi Arabia (worth) $1.5bn per year. This doesn’t seem to be a problem?” he said. “There is a double standard. There is no issue, there is no contract, but of course we want to see how we can involve Saudi sponsors and those from Qatar, in women’s football generally.”