![\"Gianni](\"https:\/\/www.ghanamma.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/129007594_gettyimages-1473887717-1-696x392.jpg\" "\\"Gianni")
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Fifa has dropped plans for Saudi Arabia to sponsor the 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup, says Fifa president Gianni Infantino.<\/p>\n
It follows\u00a0a backlash\u00a0from co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, players and sponsors about the proposed deal.<\/p>\n
Infantino said talks had taken place with Visit Saudi, the gulf country\u2019s tourism arm, about sponsoring the tournament.<\/p>\n
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\u201cAt the end this discussion didn\u2019t lead into a contract,\u201d he said, calling the affair \u201ca storm in a teacup.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Swiss official, who has been\u00a0re-elected unopposed as Fifa president, also said Fifa is aiming to have equal prize money for the men\u2019s and women\u2019s World Cup by 2027.<\/p>\n
Infantino said he would not have seen an issue with Saudi Arabia sponsoring a World Cup in Australia and New Zealand as \u201cFifa is an organisation of 211 countries, for us they are all the same,\u201d and given that there is $1.5bn worth of trade between Australia and Saudi Arabia every year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis doesn\u2019t seem to be a problem,\u201d he said. \u201cBut between a global organisation like Fifa and Visit Saudi this would have been an issue. There is a double standard here, which I really don\u2019t understand.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere is no issue and no contract. There are discussions and of course, we want to see how we can involve Saudi sponsors in women\u2019s football generally, how we can involve Saudi sponsors in men football, or we can involve Qatari sponsors in women\u2019s football and men\u2019s football, and all other sponsors from all over the world.\u201d<\/p>\n
Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said: \u201cWe welcome clarification from Fifa regarding Visit Saudi.<\/p>\n
\u201cEquality, diversity and inclusion are really deep commitments for Football Australia and we\u2019ll continue to work hard with Fifa to ensure the Women\u2019s World Cup is shaped in this light, and it is a historic event for our nation, showcasing the world\u2019s greatest female players and advancing the game globally.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fifa targets equal prize money for 2027<\/strong><\/p>\n The question of prize money was brought up by Infantino as part of a three-step plan for the women\u2019s game.<\/p>\n Women\u2019s World Cup prize money is rising to \u00a3126m for this year\u2019s tournament, from \u00a325m in 2019. However, at the men\u2019s World Cup last year in Qatar the prize money on offer totalled \u00a3365m.<\/p>\n The money for the 2027 Women\u2019s World Cup would match the 2026 men\u2019s tournament in Canada, United States and Mexico, Infantino said.<\/p>\n Along with prize money in the three-step plan announced by Infantino on Thursday, another will be equal conditions and services, such as accommodation and flights, for all men and women playing at World Cups.<\/p>\n Step three is to have pay parity by the next men\u2019s and women\u2019s World Cup in 2026 and 2027, which Infantino said will be the \u201cmost complicated\u201d, as he also criticised broadcasters and sponsors for offering much less financially for the women\u2019s tournament compared to the men\u2019s.<\/p>\n World players\u2019 union Fifpro welcomed Infantino\u2019s comments on equal pay, saying: \u201cThe progress announced today demonstrates the intent of the players and Fifa to work proactively towards greater equity and equality for the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n The 2023 Women\u2019s World Cup, which will be the first to feature 32 teams, runs from 20 July to 20 August and will be broadcast on the BBC and ITV in the United Kingdom.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n