Gianni Infantino, the president of FIFA, criticized television networks on Saturday for offering “100 times less” coverage of the women’s World Cup than the men’s.
“With women’s football breaking new ground, Infantino was speaking in Auckland hours before the draw for next year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
The World Cup in July-August will have 32 teams for the first time and global interest is anticipated to be at an all-time high.
“Broadcasters offer us 100 times less than what they offer us for the men’s World Cup,” Infantino told reporters.
He said that television companies are “pushing us to do more for equality” but that we “are not going to accept these offers”.
Infantino said that one billion dollars had been invested into women’s football by FIFA in recent years.
Infantino said that the next Women’s World Cup will cost around $400 million, with the goal being to break even. This is in contrast to the 2015 and 2019 World Cups, which both resulted in a financial loss.
FIFA plans to sell the commercial rights to the men’s tournament separately for the first time.
