A Landmark Settlement
The U.S. Women's National Soccer Team reached a historic $24 million settlement in 2022, ending a years‑long fight for equal pay that had drawn national attention.
The agreement, reached between the players and the U.S. Soccer Federation, also introduced new collective‑bargaining agreements that mandate an equal split of World Cup prize money for both the men's and women's squads.
Equal Pay in the World Cup
While the women's team had previously earned modest bonuses — $110,000 for a World Cup victory compared with the $400,000 each male player would have received — the new terms ensure that future earnings are aligned with performance, regardless of gender.
Financial records show that the men's team earned $13 million after a round‑of‑16 exit in 2022, while the women's side took home $1.87 million for a similar stage in 2023; the disparity was rooted in separate prize‑money structures that the settlement now levels.
Under the new contracts, any prize money earned at the 2026 World Cup will be divided equally, and the women's share will be released only after the men's tournament concludes in 2027, a clause designed to protect both parties while the sport expands.
Beyond dollars, the settlement underscores the growing influence of female athletes in shaping soccer's popularity in the United States, a trend that has helped the sport attract larger audiences and sponsorships.