Women’s Asian Cup finalists Japan and Australia have once again emphasized the need for equal prize money with the men’s tournament, directly challenging the Asian Football Confederation. The teams accused the governing body of disregarding their previous calls for parity. Japan emerged victorious over hosts Australia with a 1-0 win in the final held in Sydney on March 21, witnessed by a record-breaking crowd of over 74,000 spectators.
The tournament garnered widespread attention when seven members of the Iranian squad sought asylum after facing backlash in their home country for not singing the national anthem. Even after the success of the Women’s Asian Cup, where the prize fund was reported to be $1.8 million, matching the previous year, the disparity with the men’s equivalent, which offered $14.8 million, remains glaring.
A report by the global footballers’ union FIFPRO suggested that the event could generate up to $82.4 million in revenue, with a record 350,000 fans attending matches throughout the three-week competition. In a joint statement issued by FIFPRO, the Japan and Australia teams reiterated their call for equal prize money, stressing that it would have a transformative impact on players and football communities across Asia.
The statement emphasized the importance of addressing the challenges faced by players, including the Iranian team’s situation and the ill-fitting kits provided to India’s players. It also highlighted South Korea’s squad’s concerns over unequal treatment compared to their male counterparts by the national federation. The teams expressed the need for collaborative efforts between the AFC and players to tackle these issues collectively.
Looking ahead, the teams urged FIFA to uphold its commitment to equal prize money for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. They pledged to continue advocating for equality and respect for women players in the region. Efforts to reach the AFC for comment on the matter are ongoing.
