No increase in Women’s Asian Cup prize money despite player pleas for ‘respect’ | OneFootball

It has been billed as the most successful Women’s Asian Cup to date, yet prize money at the upcoming tournament in Australia will not increase from what was offered by the Asian Football Confederation at the last edition four years ago.

Celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, the world’s oldest women’s national team competition introduced prize money for the first time in 2022, distributing US$1.8m among the nations who finished in the top four.

But the AFC will not offer a bigger prize pot at this year’s tournament, which starts on March 1, ignoring multiple player requests to address its stagnation amid a global women’s football boom.

“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 said.

In 2023, the AFC allocated US$14.8m for the men’s Asian Cup, with all 24 teams – including the Socceroos – awarded a separate participation fee of US$200,000.

A survey conducted by global players’ union Fifpro after the 2022 edition revealed 87% of players said improvements to pay and prize money were needed. 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 did not occur. It is understood a public campaign is being planned calling attention to the disparity.

The Women’s Asian Cup is now the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world. The 2025 Women’s European Championships saw a prize pot of US$47.2m, the 2024 Women’s African Cup of Nations increased to US$3.475m, the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup allocated US$3.7m, while the 2025 Copa America Feminina awarded US$2m.

“The current strategy focuses on long-term development of the women’s game across Asia,” the AFC spokesperson said. “Further, it is to be noted that the prize fund of all competitions is closely tied to commercial revenues such as broadcasting and sponsorships.

“At this stage, the revenue generated by the AFC Women’s Asian Cup is still growing, and we aim to reach a sustainable point where prize money increases are backed by commercial success. We are actively working to close this gap by enhancing the visibility and marketability of the women’s game.”

Shoko Tsuji, secretary general of Fifpro Asia/Oceania, was critical of AFC’s justification.

“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 said.

“Players across Asia have already shown the immense potential of the women’s game when given a platform. What’s more, our research indicates this year’s tournament is set to be the biggest Women’s Asian Cup ever from a commercial perspective.

“We believe the tournament should be treated with the respect its stature deserves, including respect for the players who make it possible.”

The decision sits awkwardly alongside the AFC’s newest women’s football competition, the Women’s Asian Champions League. Just two years in, the club tournament had a total prize pot of US$1.5m apportioned to the winner and runner-up. Every other team was given US$100,000 for making the group stage, with more awarded the further they progressed.

The Asian Cup is part of qualification for both the 2027 Women’s World Cup and the 2028 Summer Olympics. The Matildas will face the Philippines, Iran and South Korea in the group stage.

Header image: [Photograph: David Gray/AFP/Getty Images]