The Socceroos and Matildas look set to be rewarded with a first-ever 50-50 split in prize money from World Cup performances as part of football’s new collective bargaining agreement.
AAP understands Football Australia (FA) and the players’ union (PFA) will announce a new four-year agreement on Wednesday after the previous deal lapsed in October.
As well as an increase in the share of prize money, Matildas players look set to benefit from a change in their contractual agreements with FA.
One proposal is that female players will be given standard call-up and match fees – equal to those enjoyed by the Socceroos – rather than receiving payment via the three-tiered central contracts currently in place.
Under the previous agreement, tier-one contracted Matildas earned $83,000 per year with that figure rising to $110,000 at the end of the previous CBA.
Those players received that money regardless of whether or not they played.
It is also believed senior men’s and women’s national team players will split World Cup prize money down the middle with FA.
The prize money for the Socceroos reaching the round of 16 at the men’s World Cup in Qatar last year was $US13 million ($A20 million).
If they were to repeat that feat under the proposed new model, players would net half – guaranteeing each individual in a 26-player squad about $A385,000.
FIFA has flagged that prize money will increase for the next men’s World Cup in 2026 and the women’s tournament in 2027.
Australia’s players are also set to enjoy an increase in FA’s commercial revenue share specific to their national team.
There is a sliding scale in the players’ favour if the federation surpasses its original projections.
One of the first tests will come when FA begins canvassing market interest in new TV deals for the Socceroos and Matildas, with the current deal with Network Ten set to expire in 2024.
Approached by AAP, the FA and PFA declined to comment.
George Clarke
(Australian Associated Press)
