FIFA matches Women's World Cup preparation funding to men's tournament

FIFA has approved preparation payments of $2.5 million for each association participating in the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil, matching the amount provided for the 2026 men's tournament. The decision was announced on October 22 by the Bureau of the FIFA Council as part of a financial distribution model covering preparation funding, prize money and the Club Benefits Programme.

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According to FIFA's announcement, players at the women's tournament will receive service levels equivalent to those provided at the men's event in 2026. Any surplus from the competition will go to participating member associations, with a specified portion reserved for players. FIFA said further details would be discussed at the Council's next meeting in December 2026.

The governing body also confirmed the United States as host of the first Women's Club World Cup, scheduled for January 5-30, 2028. FIFA cited the country's tournament-hosting experience, infrastructure and services, alongside interest in women's football, as reasons for its selection.

In a separate, detailed release, FIFA said the new club competition would bring together 19 teams from all six confederations. Seven clubs have already secured places: Arsenal, Club América Femenil, Barcelona, Gotham FC, North Korea's Naegohyang Women's FC, Brazil's Corinthians and China's Wuhan Jiangda. Their qualification was confirmed alongside the principles governing access to the inaugural tournament.

Europe will have six places in the field. The Asian, African, Concacaf and South American confederations will each supply three clubs, while Oceania will have one representative. Qualification prioritises continental champions from seasons ending between 2024 and 2027, with club rankings used to allocate additional places under the approved framework. FIFA said that framework would be reviewed after the 2028 edition.

For European clubs, the normal limit will be two entrants from any one member association. An exception applies where more than two clubs from the same association have won the confederation's leading club competition during the qualifying period. FIFA said no country cap would apply to the other five confederations.