USWNT Benefits from USMNT Success in 2026 World Cup

The United States women’s national team (USWNT) is set to receive financial benefits due to the U.S. men’s national team’s (USMNT) performance in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Although the women’s team will not compete in the World Cup until next summer in Brazil, they will still share in the prize money earned by their male counterparts.

According to ESPN’s Jeff Kassouf, the USMNT secured $16 million in FIFA prize money by advancing to the Round of 16. This amount will be distributed equally between the 26 players on the men’s roster and the 26 women projected to be on the 2027 Women’s World Cup roster, provided the team qualifies.

“The prize money will be split evenly between the 26 men on the U.S. roster and the 26 women who make next year’s U.S. roster for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, should the Americans qualify,” Kassouf reported. Collective bargaining agreements established in 2022 ensure that both men’s and women’s national teams receive equal shares of World Cup prize money. These agreements followed extensive efforts by the women’s team advocating for equal pay.

Kassouf estimated that approximately $6.4 million will be divided among the USWNT players next year, contingent on securing a place in the 2027 tournament.

The USMNT is striving to match the on-field success of the USWNT. Despite a 4-1 defeat to Belgium on July 6, the men’s team has struggled to progress past the Round of 16 since 2002. The team’s historical best was a semifinal finish in 1930. This year’s World Cup, hosted by the U.S. for the first time since 1994, seemed poised as a chance to overcome their recurring hurdle. Yet, the USMNT must wait another four years to aim for advancement beyond the Round of 16.

Meanwhile, the USWNT is anticipated to compete for its fifth World Cup title next summer, pending qualification. This follows an unusual exit at the 2023 World Cup, where Sweden defeated them in the Round of 16. The USWNT has previously secured World Cup titles in 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019. Spain currently holds the championship title.