Australia and Japan women's teams see requests for equal pay ignored

Martin Macdonald

• 4 Apr 2026 04:30 CDT
• 2 min read

News

The two finalists of the 2026 Asian Cup, Australia and Japan, have confirmed that they requested equal pay to the men's teams for playing in the same tournament only for their pleas to be ignored.

The prize fund for the recent AFC Women's Asian Cup was $1.8m, while the prize fund for the men's edition is around $14.8m.

"Despite the success of this tournament it remains the lowest-paying continental tournament in the world and inequality between the men's and women's game remains," Australia and Japan said in a joint statement posted by world players' union Fifpro.

"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.

"Equal prize money would be transformational for all players and football communities across Asia and help raise standards at all levels of the game across our region.

"Equality benefits players in the short term, but football in the long term."

The final of the Asian Cup took place in the middle of March as Japan ran out narrow 1-0 winners against host nation Australia after a goal from Maika Hamano in the 17th minute. It's the third time the Nadeshiko have won the tournament after emerging victorious in 2014 and 2018, as well as 2026.

The tournament broke attendance records for the Asian Cup, too, as around 350,000 spectators watched from the stands, while a report from Fifpro stated that it generated $82.4m in revenue.

It hit worldwide headlines when seven Iranian internationals sought asylum in Australia after being labelled as traitors in their home country after refusing to sing the national anthem before a game.

"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 statement continued.

"These challenges can only be tackled together in partnership."

The 2029 edition of the Women's Asian Cup will take place in Uzbekistan, which will mark the first time the tournament is held in Central Asia.

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