Asean Football Federation Sticks to the Status Quo as Women's Asian Cup Prize Money Remains Unchanged Despite Pleas for "Respect"
The Asia Football Confederation (AFC) has refused to increase prize money for the upcoming Women's Asian Cup, despite pleas from players and a global survey revealing widespread discontent. The tournament, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will offer unchanged prize money of US$1.8m among the top four teams, sparking criticism that it fails to reflect the growing importance of women's football in Asia.
The decision comes as the women's game continues to gain momentum globally, with other continental competitions such as the Women's European Championships and Women's African Cup of Nations offering significantly higher prize pots. The 2025 Copa America Feminina awarded a paltry US$2m, while the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup allocated US$3.7m.
Fifpro Asia/Oceania secretary general Shoko Tsuji has attacked the AFC's justification for sticking to the status quo, stating that "the AFC's statement talks about long-term development and 'future editions'... but Australia is hosting this tournament now, and a world-class event can't ask players to wait for future improvements, particularly when other regions are investing at a significant pace."
Tsuji argued that players across Asia have already demonstrated the immense potential of women's football, and it is time for the AFC to treat the tournament with "the respect its stature deserves." The criticism comes as a public campaign is planned to highlight the disparity between prize money for men's and women's competitions.
The Women's Asian Cup has become the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world, with many teams struggling to make ends meet despite participating in high-profile events. The Matildas will face stiff competition from Iran and South Korea in the group stage, but with unchanged prize money, players will be hard-pressed to justify their participation.
The AFC's decision has been met with skepticism by many in the women's football community, who see it as a missed opportunity to promote the growth of the game. As the tournament begins on March 1, one thing is clear: the lack of increase in prize money will not be forgotten, and the future of women's football in Asia hangs precariously in the balance.
The Asia Football Confederation (AFC) has refused to increase prize money for the upcoming Women's Asian Cup, despite pleas from players and a global survey revealing widespread discontent. The tournament, celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, will offer unchanged prize money of US$1.8m among the top four teams, sparking criticism that it fails to reflect the growing importance of women's football in Asia.
The decision comes as the women's game continues to gain momentum globally, with other continental competitions such as the Women's European Championships and Women's African Cup of Nations offering significantly higher prize pots. The 2025 Copa America Feminina awarded a paltry US$2m, while the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup allocated US$3.7m.
Fifpro Asia/Oceania secretary general Shoko Tsuji has attacked the AFC's justification for sticking to the status quo, stating that "the AFC's statement talks about long-term development and 'future editions'... but Australia is hosting this tournament now, and a world-class event can't ask players to wait for future improvements, particularly when other regions are investing at a significant pace."
Tsuji argued that players across Asia have already demonstrated the immense potential of women's football, and it is time for the AFC to treat the tournament with "the respect its stature deserves." The criticism comes as a public campaign is planned to highlight the disparity between prize money for men's and women's competitions.
The Women's Asian Cup has become the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world, with many teams struggling to make ends meet despite participating in high-profile events. The Matildas will face stiff competition from Iran and South Korea in the group stage, but with unchanged prize money, players will be hard-pressed to justify their participation.
The AFC's decision has been met with skepticism by many in the women's football community, who see it as a missed opportunity to promote the growth of the game. As the tournament begins on March 1, one thing is clear: the lack of increase in prize money will not be forgotten, and the future of women's football in Asia hangs precariously in the balance.
the situation with the Women's Asian Cup is super frustrating! I mean, players are killing it on the field but getting peanuts for their efforts? It just doesn't seem right. The 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup has way more prize money than this and other regions are investing big time in women's football too... what's going on here? 
Interesting how the Matildas are still participating despite the lack of increase in prize money, it shows how passionate they are about the game! 
. i mean, other continents are killing it with higher prize money - Concacaf W Gold Cup is like, a whole different level 
. players should be able to make some decent cash, especially since women's football is on the rise 
. Matildas need all the support they can get right now 
. this decision is just... 
.
! I mean, come on, $1.8m is basically pocket change for teams that actually have to pay players to show up, let alone compete at a high level. It's like they're saying, "Hey, we know women's football is becoming a thing, but don't expect us to pay you very much for it." 
Meanwhile, the men's game is getting all these fancy prizes and everyone's just chillin', but the ladies are still stuck in the Stone Age 
.
The AFC's decision to maintain the same prize money for the Women's Asian Cup is a telling reflection of the organization's priorities. Given the growing global importance of women's football, it's puzzling that the AFC wouldn't see fit to provide a more substantial financial incentive to participating teams. 
As Tsuji so aptly pointed out, players across Asia have already demonstrated their talent and dedication, and it's time for the AFC to acknowledge this with a more substantial investment in the tournament.
For now, it seems that the lack of increase in prize money will be a major talking point at the Women's Asian Cup, with players' participation hanging precariously in the balance. 
, i mean who says that long-term development has to come at the expense of player welfare? its like they're expecting players to just show up for the sake of the game 
. shoko tsuji is speaking truth to power here and im all for it 
. asia deserves better, especially when compared to other continents 
. but seriously, I think it's kinda unfair that men's football gets all the love and money 
It's like they're not taking women's football seriously at all... and it's going to affect the growth of the sport in Asia for sure 
. The players deserve better than to be treated like an afterthought 
. I hope this public campaign can bring some attention to this issue and maybe, just maybe, we'll see a change soon 
.
It's the same for these women players! They're putting their bodies on the line and giving it their all, but still, we don't see any real recognition or reward. It's just not fair 
. I'm sure there are a lot of parents out there who would love to see some more money thrown at this tournament, especially since they can see how passionate fans are about women's soccer in Asia 
their voices aren't being heard and it's just not fair they're struggling to make ends meet but still gotta participate 
i'm definitely on board with this public campaign to highlight the disparity between men's and women's competitions 
let's get the word out and make some noise!
the Matildas are gonna have a tough time justifying playing if they dont get even a decent cut of the action 
. Maybe it'll put pressure on the AFC to reconsider their stance 
. The 50th anniversary of the Women's Asian Cup is a big deal, but it should be about celebrating the game, not just sticking with the status quo 
.
Let's hope someone listens to the complaints and makes a change for the better! 
.
. I mean, $1.8m isn't even a drop in the bucket compared to what other tournaments are offering these days 
. The players deserve better than just a token prize pot - they deserve respect and recognition for their hard work and dedication 
.
. The future of women's football in Asia is at stake, and I for one won't stand idly by while we're shortchanged 
. If they can't be bothered to give us a decent prize pot, then maybe we should start asking why 
the prize pot for men's competitions r so much higher & thats makin it hard 4 teams 2 justify participatin 
the asian federation should b investin more in womens football 2 make it grow 
this is just not fair at all!! 
shoko tsuji totally gets it, i think the women's game has come so far and it's time for the AFC to step up their game 
️ we need to keep pushing for change and not let this opportunity slip away 
!