FIFA to increase financial contribution to 2019 Women's WC

FIFA will raise financial contribution to 50 million U.S. dollars for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup to be held in France, more than tripled from 15 million dollars in 2015's edition, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said here Friday.

The financial contribution includes raised prize money of 30 million dollars in 2019 from 15 million dollars in 2015, Infantino said at a news conference at the end of the eighth meeting of the FIFA Council. The contribution also include 11.52 million dollars to help teams organize friendly matches before the World Cup, as well as 8.48 million to reward clubs releasing players for the tournament, he said.

"This is every important message for women's football. It will certainly boost this World Cup even more," he said.

He noted that the increment will narrow the gap between men's and women's prize money and boost gender equality in football.

At the meeting, FIFA's strategic and decision-making body discussed a number of pivotal aspects regarding the future of FIFA competitions, according to a statement.

In order to continue and strengthen the consultation process concerning the possibility of establishing an overhauled FIFA Club World Cup, as well as a worldwide nations league, the council agreed to set up a task force.

The council also appointed Paraguay as the host of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 and Lithuania as the host of the FIFA Futsal World Cup 2020.

Next year's Women World Cup comprising of 24 teams will run from June 7 to July 7 in France. The 2015 tournament, won by the United States, was the first women's World Cup to involve 24 teams.