Following a record-breaking Women's Asian Cup, finalists Australia and Japan have openly criticized the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) for allegedly ignoring their appeals to close a glaring gender pay gap.
While the tournament culminated in a thrilling 1-0 victory for Japan over host nation Australia—played in front of a historic crowd of 74,397 in Sydney—the financial rewards starkly highlighted the sport's inequities. The women's tournament featured a total prize pool of just $1.8 million (£936,630), a fraction of the $14.8 million (£7.7 million) fund allocated for the men's equivalent.
In a joint statement released through the global players' union Fifpro, the two national teams did not mince words, labeling the competition the "lowest-paying continental tournament in the world."
"Our pre-tournament invitation to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to work together on equal prize money, a guaranteed share to all players, and to co-develop a lasting legacy has so far been ignored," the statement read.
The players emphasized that achieving equal prize money would be a transformational step for football communities across Asia, arguing that fairness in compensation benefits both the athletes in the short term and the overall growth of the sport in the long term.
The refusal to address the pay gap comes despite the tournament's undeniable commercial success. A February report from Fifpro estimated that the three-week event, which drew a record 350,000 total attendees, could generate up to $82.4 million (£42.9 million) in revenue.
Beyond financial compensation, the teams' joint statement also shed light on systemic and logistical struggles faced by various nations throughout the competition. The players urged the AFC to foster a genuine partnership to resolve these ongoing issues.
"From the players from the Indian team wearing ill-fitting kit, to Korean players navigating ongoing disputes with their federation, to the extraordinary courage of the Iranian players, who reminded the world what it means to stand up for dignity, belief and what is right," the players added.
The tournament made headlines globally not just for its football, but for the brave protests by the Iranian squad. Seven members of the team subsequently sought asylum in Australia after refusing to sing their national anthem, facing severe backlash in their home country.
Ultimately, Australia and Japan stressed that the multitude of challenges facing women's football in the region can only be overcome if organizers and athletes work together in a true partnership. The AFC has yet to issue a public response to the teams' statements.