Players call for AFC partnership as FIFPRO Asia/Oceania research indicates 2026 Women’s Asian Cup will be biggest ever

• FIFPRO Asia/Oceania research projects the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup (WAC) has the potential to be the most commercially successful Women’s Asian Cup ever 
• Research commissioned by FIFPRO Asia/Oceania projects the tournament has the potential to generate up to USD $82.4 million in revenue 
• Following multiple attempts by FIFPRO Asia/Oceania to engage with the AFC, players from seven countries participating in the 2026 WAC have written to the AFC uniting behind a four-point vision for the tournament, calling for equal conditions, equal prize money, guaranteed player payments and a shared legacy program 

FIFPRO Asia/Oceania has today released Opportunities of the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, a new report highlighting the challenges facing women’s football in Asia and the historic opportunity presented by the tournament. 
 
Drawing on player survey data from major international competitions and independent commercial modelling, the report finds that professional standards for players in Asia remain behind global benchmarks. 
 
The report identifies that many Asian women footballers still lack fully professional careers, including decent pay and conditions, and the AFC Women’s Asian Cup (WAC) lags behind comparable international tournaments for prize money. 
 
However, independent modelling by global sports intelligence agency Gemba, published in the report, estimates the 2026 WAC has the potential to generate up to USD $82.4 million in revenue, based on historical comparisons, underlying interest, and commercial benchmarks. 
 
This presents what the report describes as a generational opportunity to reset expectations for women’s football in Asia and follow the precedent set by FIFA and UEFA, who have partnered with players to lift standards at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the 2025 UEFA Women’s Euros. 
 
A letter sent to the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) in December 2025, signed by players from seven of the 12 nations set to compete in the tournament, is published in the report. The letter outlines a shared four-point vision calling for:

1. Equal regulations and conditions aligned with the men’s AFC Asian Cup.
2. Equal prize money across men’s and women’s tournaments.
3. Guaranteed player payments, with at least 30 per cent of prize money distributed directly to players.
4. A co-designed legacy program to accelerate the professionalisation of women’s football across Asia.

The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup prize pool currently represents just 12 percent of the men’s equivalent and is the lowest among comparable continental tournaments. 
 
FIFPRO Asia/Oceania Secretary General Shoko Tsuji said the moment called for collaboration to deliver a legacy for professional football in Asia. 
 
"The 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup represents an enormous opportunity to address historical inequalities and set a new standard for how women footballers are valued and supported across Asia," Tsuji said. 
 
"The precedent set by FIFA and UEFA are positive examples of what we can adopt to leave a major legacy following this tournament. Importantly, our research shows the players’ proposals are affordable and transformative for the industry and the players. 

“Through genuine partnership between players and the AFC, we can build a more equal, professional women’s football landscape that reflects the players’ quality and commitment and the tournament’s enormous commercial potential.” 
 
Players from across the region echoed the call for leadership and collaboration. 
 
Manchester City and Japanese international Yui Hasegawa said that hosting the Women’s Asian Cup in Australia highlighted the opportunity to improve conditions and prize money for women footballers. 
 
"While there have been dramatic improvements in women’s football conditions worldwide, the fact that [the Women’s Asian Cup] is being held in Australia, the only country where equal pay for men and women has been achieved, presents a huge opportunity. 
 
"I hope the AFC Women’s Asian Cup will offer the best conditions and make progress in the area of prize money, so it is as close as possible to the men’s."

Australia national team player Alanna Kennedy said the tournament’s legacy could extend far beyond 2026. 

"Just like the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the Women’s Asian Cup has the potential to change the reality for every competing player and inspire every young girl across Asia who dreams of becoming a professional footballer. 

"The AFC have an opportunity to embrace equality and set a new global benchmark and standard to unlock the full power of this tournament."

Indian women’s national team, East Bengal player, and FIFPRO Global Player Council member, Ashalata Devi, said that receiving equal remuneration and conditions will be a significant step in advancing the game across Asia.  

"We give everything for our country. Our commitment, sacrifice, and the pride of wearing the jersey are just like those of men players.  

"Equal prize and equal conditions are not just right but also show that women players receive equal respect. 

"We have seen many times that if we get the right kind of support, it helps in advancing the game."

Lee Hsiu-Chin, the President of Taiwan Women’s Football Players’ Association, Taiwan national team, and player for Taichung Sakura, demonstrated her support. 
 
"When it comes to training commitment and match intensity, and the responsibility and pride of representing our country on the international stage, we are no different from male players. 

"Because we wear the same jersey. Whether it's the expectation of equal pay, or providing the same match conditions, these should not be seen as extra demands. 

"This is the most basic respect owed to every athlete competing in this Women's Asian Cup."