A video highlighting the difference in prize money for the Matildas and the Socceroos after the Asian Cup has sparked fierce discussion on social media.
Despite a pre-tournament projected revenue of $82.4m USD, the prize money for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup, which is distributed among the top four sides, is only $1.8m USD.
The pool has not increased since the tournament in 2022, which was the first women’s Asian Cup to have prize money.
Contrasty, the men’s Asian Cup tournament in 2023 had a prize money pool of $USD14.8m.
In the video, ABC sports journalist Marnie Vinall points out the Matildas are walking away with just $8,700 each following their second place finish to Japan a “fraction” of what the men’s team would have earned.
Had the Socceroos placed second in the 2023 tournament, each player would have earned about $52,000 in prize money.
“Had the Matildas won the Asian Cup, they all would have been taking home roughly $21,000 AUD,” Ms Vinall said.
“If the Socceroos had won the men’s Asian Cup, they would have each taken home over $105,000 AUD each.”
The shock pay difference sparked a wave of comments on social media.
“The Matildas are world elite, consistently in the FIFA top 10, while Socceroos have never been top 10 and sit at lower mid tier,” one commenter said.
“The Matildas clearly deserve better recognition and pay.”
“That’s so disgusting and disappointing to still be a problem in 2026,” another said.
The Women’s Asian Cup prize money total is less than any of the other major women’s football tournaments.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported the majority of the Matildas squad had signed a letter to the Asian Football Confederation requesting an increase to the prize money before the tournament.
Their plea was dismissed.
The prize money for next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil has not been announced.
Football Australia has been contacted for comment.
Originally published as ABC sports journalist exposes wild pay gap between Matildas, Socceroos at Asian Cup tournaments
