FIFA has officially announced a record prize fund of USD 4 million for the inaugural Women’s Champions Cup, set to take place in London from January 28 to February 1, 2026. The historic competition will feature six elite clubs from different confederations, including Morocco’s AS FAR, marking a major milestone in the global development of women’s club football.
Historic prize money for the first Women’s Champions Cup
According to a statement released by FIFA on Friday, the club that lifts the Women’s Champions Cup trophy will receive USD 2.3 million, while the runner-up will earn USD 1 million. The two losing semi-finalists will each be awarded USD 200,000 for their participation.
The remaining two teams, eliminated in the first and second rounds—Auckland United FC (New Zealand), representing the OFC, and Wuhan Chegu Jiangda WFC (China), representing the AFC—will each receive USD 100,000.
Semi-final matchups and final venue
The semi-finals will see Gotham FC face Corinthians, while Arsenal Women will take on Morocco’s AS FAR. The final, along with the third-place match, will be played at Arsenal Stadium in London, underlining the prestige and visibility FIFA aims to give this new competition.
AS FAR represents Africa on the global stage
African champions AS FAR secured their place in the semi-finals by defeating Asian champions Wuhan Chegu Jiangda WFC in December during the second round of the competition. The Moroccan side won 2–1 after extra time, following a 1–1 draw at the end of regulation, confirming their status as one of the strongest women’s clubs on the continent.
FIFA’s strong commitment to women’s club football
Commenting on the announcement, FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström emphasized the significance of the prize fund: “The total amount of nearly USD 4 million allocated to the six participating clubs reflects the great confidence placed in women’s football, particularly in the players, teams and competitions driving its continued growth.”
He added that the prize money illustrates the global rise of women’s football and FIFA’s commitment to making targeted and meaningful investments to strengthen women’s club football over the long term. “The objective is clear: to continue investing in order to raise standards at all levels and ensure that opportunities, visibility and value keep pace with the exceptional performances seen on the pitch,” he said.
A long-term strategy for sustainable growth
The Women’s Champions Cup 2026 forms part of a broader FIFA strategy aimed at developing and sustaining women’s club football worldwide. This approach includes financial investments—such as the USD 11.3 million redistributed to more than 1,000 clubs following the 2023 Women’s World Cup—alongside reforms to the international match calendar.
Future initiatives also include the launch of a Women’s Club World Cup in 2028, as well as innovative measures such as training compensation, solidarity mechanisms and minimum standards designed to enhance performance and long-term club sustainability.
