Women's Asian Cup Prize Money Frozen Despite Global Growth and Player Protests
The Asian Football Confederation (AFC) has confirmed that prize money for the upcoming 2026 Women's Asian Cup in Australia will remain unchanged from the previous edition, despite a significant global boom in women's football and repeated pleas from players for greater financial recognition.
Stagnant Rewards Amidst Rising Stature
Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the Women's Asian Cup introduced prize money for the first time in 2022, distributing US$1.8 million among the top four finishing nations. However, the AFC has announced that the prize pot for this year's tournament, which begins on March 1st, will not see any increase, ignoring multiple requests from players to address what they see as a lack of respect for their contributions.
"The AFC acknowledges the importance of increasing the prize money of the AFC Women's Asian Cup participating teams, while noting that the prize money for the upcoming edition in Australia remains consistent with previous editions," an AFC spokesperson stated.
Global Disparity Becomes Evident
This decision places the Women's Asian Cup in an unenviable position as the lowest-paying continental tournament in world football. To illustrate the growing gap:
- The 2025 Women's European Championships offered a prize pot of US$47.2 million
- The 2024 Women's African Cup of Nations increased to US$3.475 million
- The 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup allocated US$3.7 million
- The 2025 Copa America Feminina awarded US$2 million
This stagnation becomes particularly striking when compared to the men's game. In 2023, the AFC allocated US$14.8 million for the men's Asian Cup, with all 24 teams receiving a separate participation fee of US$200,000.
Player Dissent and Union Criticism
A survey conducted by global players' union Fifpro after the 2022 edition revealed that 87% of players believed improvements to pay and prize money were necessary. Players from a majority of this year's competing teams recently signed an open letter to the AFC requesting consultation on prize money, but that consultation never materialised.
Shoko Tsuji, secretary general of Fifpro Asia/Oceania, expressed strong criticism of the AFC's justification, which focused on long-term development and future commercial growth.
"The AFC's statement talks about long-term development and 'future editions' ... but Australia is hosting this tournament now, and a world-class event can't ask players to wait for future improvements, particularly when other regions are investing at a significant pace," Tsuji argued.
Commercial Contradictions and Tournament Significance
The decision appears particularly contradictory given the AFC's investment in other women's competitions. The relatively new Women's Asian Champions League, just two years into existence, already offers a total prize pot of US$1.5 million apportioned to the winner and runner-up, with additional payments for group stage participation and progression.
Fifpro's research indicates this year's Women's Asian Cup is set to be the most commercially successful edition ever, raising questions about the AFC's assertion that prize money increases must wait for greater commercial revenue.
The tournament holds significant competitive importance as it forms part of qualification for both the 2027 Women's World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. Host nation Australia, the Matildas, will face the Philippines, Iran, and South Korea in the group stage.
With a public campaign reportedly being planned to highlight the prize money disparity, and players increasingly vocal about their demands for respect, the AFC faces mounting pressure to reconsider its position on financial rewards for women's football in Asia.
