​The United States men’s national soccer team generated $16 million from their World Cup run to the round of 16, and that amount is slated to be shared with the women’s national team next year. Under the 2022 collective bargaining agreement between players and U.S. Soccer, prize money from the World Cup is divided equally between the men’s and women’s national teams. After the federation deducts a 20% administrative cut, the remaining 80% of the prize money is split evenly between the two squads, meaning the men’s team will contribute $6.4 million to be shared with the women’s team from the most recent World Cup performance.
The women’s national team has not yet secured a berth for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil, but they can clinch qualification in November. Prize money for that tournament is set to be shared with this year’s men’s squad. The 26-player women’s roster for that event has not been finalized yet, and the $6.4 million earmarked from the men’s World Cup will be deposited into an account that will accrue interest until the full roster is determined. Any interest earned will also be divided between the men’s and women’s programs.
The CBA, which remains in effect through 2028, reflects years of advocacy by the women’s team toward achieving equal pay. Historically, the U.S. women have won the World Cup four times, while the men’s team has not advanced beyond the round of 16 since 2002. The lawsuit brought by the women’s team against U.S. Soccer in 2019 culminated in a $22 million settlement in 2022, and the men’s side received $11 million in back pay after playing for years without a formal agreement. Both the men’s and women’s teams exited the 2022 World Cup in Qatar and the 2023 World Cup in Australia in the Round of 16, respectively, but FIFA prize money distributions differed dramatically between the two groups.
In Qatar, the men’s squad earned $13 million in FIFA prize money, while the women earned only $1.87 million for advancing to the same stage. After FIFA’s smaller 10% federation cut, the total prize money from the tournament was divided between the teams. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has signaled support for equal prize money in the upcoming 2026 men’s and 2027 women’s World Cups. In April, FIFA announced a total of $871 million in prize money and related payouts for the expanded 48-team 2026 event, up from an initial $727 million estimate. FIFA has not yet released prize money details for the 2027 women’s tournament.
Beyond World Cup prize funds, U.S. players receive $10,000 per World Cup match from the federation. Recent results have included Belgium eliminating the United States in Seattle with a 4–1 defeat on Monday, with Belgium advancing to the quarterfinals where they will face Spain. In the prize structure for the broader FIFA events, teams reaching different stages will earn minimums such as $20 million for quarterfinalists, $28 million for semifinalists, $30 million for third place, $34 million for the runners-up, and $51 million for the champions. This marks a steady increase from the $42 million FIFA awarded to Argentina for winning in 2022.
The ongoing equal-pay framework, ongoing qualification campaigns, and fluctuating prize money structures continue to shape the financial landscape for both the U.S. men’s and women’s national teams as they pursue potential future success on the global stage.