FootyPop: Women’s World Cup Prize Money Increased to One Third of Men’s
This week was big in women’s soccer news. Significantly, the Women’s World Cup prize money was upped! Additionally, the NWSL is gearing up for the start of the season next week, while in England, four teams will be preparing for the Women’s FA Cup semifinals. Plus, it’s award season, and players and teams are being recognized for their grind over the past year. So, without further ado, here’s everything you need to know from the past week in women’s soccer.
High of the Weekend
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At last! The Women’s World Cup prize money increased! In 2019, the total prize money totaled $50 million, but FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed that the prize money for this summer is over $150 million.
You may be wondering: is this equal to the men’s side, then? Well, unfortunately, the Women’s World Cup prize money is still much, much lower. The 2022 Men’s World Cup prize money allocation was nearly $450 million.
Infantino announced that FIFA will aim for equal prize money by the 2027 Women’s World Cup. So, while this is a great step for women’s soccer, progress still needs to be made.
Low of the Weekend
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Janine Beckie announced this week that she tore her ACL and will miss the rest of the season. It breaks our hearts to see it; Beckie was in great form for Canada and would be crucial to the Thorns this season. We’re wishing her well as she begins recovery!
News of the Weekend
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Alex Morgan and Sophia Smith received nominations as CONCACAF Players of the Year!
Our USWNT reps are alongside other USMNT stars and CONCACAF women’s soccer stars like Jamaica’s Khadija Bunny Shaw, Canada’s Jessie Flemming, Haiti’s Melchie Dumornay, and Mexico’s Alicia Cervantes. Fan voting is open now!
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Additionally, the Sports Business Journal announced its awards and nominees. Angel City received a nomination for Sports Team of the Year, Cindy Parlow Cone for Sports Executive of the Year, and more. There are 95 nominees total across 13 awards. And our women’s soccer reps did so well!
Teams of the Weekend
Foundation: (noun) the action of establishing an institution or organization on a permanent basis.
Introducing the “Foundation” kit. pic.twitter.com/mMHSFt4gyp— Chicago Red Stars (@chicagoredstars) March 15, 2023
Three more NWSL teams unveiled their new kits this week, including the Chicago Red Stars “Foundation” kit, Angel City’s “Represent” kit, and OL Reign’s “Purpose” kit.
All three have got to be up there with our fav kit drops of 2023… but stay tuned for our complete rankings of the NWSL kits coming soon!
Player of the Weekend
🔥 @RachelDaly3’s 19th goal of the season! pic.twitter.com/7HQsHhl6jV
— Aston Villa Women (@AVWFCOfficial) March 19, 2023
Former Houston Dash attacker Rachel Daly scored the goal that put Aston Villa ahead to win the FA quarterfinal over Manchester City. The teams were tied up until stoppage time when Daly put one in the back of the net in the 97th minute!
Daly’s been an incredible player for Villa this season, this being her 19th goal! Of course, we miss watching her in the States with the NWSL, but she’s a goal-scoring machine in the FA WSL, so we can’t complain.
Transfer of the Weekend
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Jodie Taylor is back at Arsenal! In the past., the striker moved from club to club and most recently played for the San Diego Wave. Now, she returns to Arsenal, where she played from 2016-2017.
What to Look Forward to
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It’s great to see the NWSL receiving the network broadcast attention it deserves (although it definitely deserves more still)! These are the matches you’ll be able to watch on CBS this season. Can’t wait for next weekend!
Fav Social Media Post
my fav picture from media day bc I know Sincy hated every second of it 🫶🏽 pic.twitter.com/GQkwjxD3yH
— Sophia Smith (@sophsssmith) March 20, 2023
Love to see the media day outtakes.
Featured image via @FIFAWWC on Twitter
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