The USWNT will compete in the World Cup next year, but it’ll still be getting a massive payday on the heels of the USMNT’s run to the round of 16 in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Men’s team’s run ended with a shockingly poor showing as the squad lost 4-1 to Belgium on its home turf in Seattle, but it still earned $16 million from FIFA for reaching the round of 16.
Now, that money will be split with the Women’s team, thanks to the landmark U.S. Soccer equal pay collective bargaining agreements. U.S. Soccer keeps 20 percent of the prize money, with the USMNT and USWNT both splitting the remaining 80% 50/50, meaning both squads will receive, receive $6.4 million, roughly $246,153 per player.
“One of the reasons soccer doesn’t prosper here.”
Fans on social media had mxed fillings on the structure of the CBA. Some felt that each squad should only be compensated for the money it brings in.
“And this is one of the reasons soccer doesn’t prosper here….others taking something it does not belong to them,” one fan posted on X.
“Shouldn’t compensation be based on the contributive revenue each team generates? The reality is that the women’s product for sports that require immense endurance and strength is just not good on a relative basis and should be compensated accordingly,” somenoe else posted.
“Utter woke nonsense,” another person posted.
“The women should get more for doing better.”
Other fans felt the women’s side, which has won a record four World Cups, compared to the men’s none, is more than deserving of the split.
“They deserve all of it,” one fan wrote.
“Im cool with this. The women team seem to perform much better and are several times more consistent than the men’s team. I’m tired of the men’s team not being able to get past round 16. In fact the women should get more for doing better,” another fan added.
It’s an interesting debate, but with the women’s side is the only one winning anything meaningful, the real argument may be whether they should be earning more than 50 percent of the split.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.