Women's Asian Cup finalists Japan and Australia have united to hit out at the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for inequitable and stagnant prize money awarded for the tournament, as well as calling on FIFA to deliver equal prize money for the 2027 Women's World Cup.
Concluding with Nadeshiko Japan defeating the Matildas 1-0 in the final to win their third Asian crown, the US$1.8 million prize pool on offer at the 2026 tournament remained unchanged from the 2022 edition.
Only the four 2026 semifinalists -- Japan, Australia, South Korea, and China -- were awarded prize money, while no participation fee was paid for the other eight nations. The men's Asian Cup, in contrast, is allocated US$14.8 million, with the 24 entrants receiving a participation fee of US$200,000.
Members of the India, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan teams wrote to the AFC in late 2025 seeking increases in allocations, as well as set percentages for participating players, but were dismissed in a letter sent by AFC general secretary Datuk Seri Windsor John to FIFPro Asia/Oceania general secretary Shoko Tsuji.
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"Despite the success of this tournament, it remains the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world, and inequality between the men's and women's game remains," Japanese and Australian players said on Thursday.
"Our pre-tournament invitation to the AFC to work together on equal prize money, a guaranteed share to all players, and to co-develop a lasting legacy has so far been ignored.
"Equal prize money would be transformational for all players and football communities across Asia.
"Equal prize money would help to raise standards at all levels of the game across our region."
Asia offers the lowest pool of any of the various women's continental tournaments around the world, with the Women's Africa Cup of Nations delivering a US$3.47 million pool in 2024 (its 2026 edition was delayed just 12 days before starting last month), the Concacaf W Gold Cup offering US$3.7 million, and the most recent Copa America Feminina awarding US$2 million.
In Europe, UEFA doubled the pool at the 2025 Women's European Championship to €41 million, with each participating federation receiving a minimum of €1.8 million, at least 30% which had to be shared with players.
The statement from Japan and Australia also noted challenges such as Indian players being forced to scramble to secure locally made kits after being sent undersized junior versions, ongoing disputes between South Korean players and their federation, and the saga surrounding the Iran women's national team, as "challenges can only be tackled together in partnership."
"Equality benefits players in the short term, but football in the long term," the statement said.
Speaking at the 2023 FIFA Congress in Rwanda, shortly after being elected unopposed to serve a new four-year term, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the governing body's "ambition is to have equality in payments for the 2026 Men's and 2027 Women's World Cup," but called on broadcasters to pay more in rights fees for the women's competition.
The 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil will be the second time the tournament's rights have been sold as a standalone product, after previously being included as an add-on for those seeking to secure the men's tournament.
"As we look forward, we expect FIFA to honour its pledge of equal prize money for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup, and we will continue to fight for equality and respect for women players across our region," the players' statement said.