As the AFC Women’s Asian Cup gets underway in Australia, players and unions are urging the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to provide equal prize money to the men’s tournament. The women’s competition is set to award a total of US $1.8 million, the same as in 2022, compared with the US $14.8 million prize pool for the 2024 men’s Asian Cup.

According to Fifpro Asia/Oceania, the tournament, which doubles as a qualifier for next year’s World Cup in Brazil, could generate up to US $82.4 million in revenue and attract nearly 800,000 spectators, highlighting its commercial potential. Players from seven of the 12 participating teams wrote to the AFC last December, asking for improvements in prize money and playing conditions to match the men’s event.

Japan captain Yui Hasegawa, who plays for Manchester City, said the tournament should offer top-level conditions and prize money closer to the men. “I hope the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will offer the best conditions and make progress in the area of prize money,” she said.

According to The Straits Times, the gap in prize money is even more glaring compared with European women’s tournaments, with the 2025 Women’s Euros offering a US $47.2 million prize pool. Advocates say the discrepancy underscores the need for more investment in women’s football across Asia, as fan interest and revenues continue to rise.

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