The United States’ World Cup ended with a painful 4-1 defeat to Belgium, but the payout from that run is now set to travel far beyond the men’s locker room.
The US men earned $16 million in FIFA prize money for reaching the round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup. Under the collective bargaining agreements ratified by U.S. Soccer and both national teams in 2022, that money will be shared between the 26 men on this summer’s roster and the 26 women who make the United States roster for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, if the team qualifies.
U.S. Soccer keeps 20% of the FIFA prize money. The remaining 80% is divided evenly across the men’s and women’s player pools, leaving $6.4 million for each team and $246,153.85 per player.
The women’s share will not be paid immediately because their 2027 roster has not been named. Under the agreements, that money goes into an interest-bearing account until the squad is confirmed, with the interest then split among the 52 World Cup players.
The pressure is now on the US women to finish the job. They still must qualify for the 2027 tournament and face El Salvador on November 27 in a win-and-in Concacaf quarterfinal.
The transfer market is already moving fast across the sport, but this story is about something different: a World Cup loss still turning into a payday shaped by a years-long equal-pay fight.
FIFA’s 2027 Women’s World Cup prize totals have not yet been confirmed. For now, the US men’s exit has left a number that both national teams will be watching.
