
To mark one year since the 2023 Women’s World Cup, players around the world are detailing how improved conditions and prize money at the tournament changed women’s international football, and why players and unions should push for equality at the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Annalie Longo, who made her World Cup debut at 16 in 2007 before going on to play in five global finals, shares her views.
By Annalie Longo
I recently bought my first home, something that wouldn't have been possible without the prize money bonus footballers received playing at last year’s Women’s World Cup.
It can be a struggle for footballers in New Zealand. It was only two years ago that we got our first professional team in the A-League Women and it’s still not full-time. It's a privilege representing Wellington Phoenix and New Zealand, but one disadvantage is having to make regular income elsewhere. It’s a sacrifice we have to make to play football.
Thankfully, though, things are changing for women’s footballers. The improved prize money footballers received at the World Cup has meant many New Zealand players can pursue dreams and long-term plans now, rather than having to wait until life after football.
A number are looking at a first property. A lot are looking to have kids; we've got one or two from that World Cup squad that have either just had a baby or are pregnant. That was probably never a conversation until post-playing, prior to having the sustainability of that money coming in. Now, you can play football and still be a mum, which is a huge part of being a female.
In June 2022, a year before the World Cup, the New Zealand team had a face-to-face meeting with FIFPRO about pushing for improved prize money and conditions at the 2023 World Cup. It was incredible for us to have that support, and the support of our PFA, where our unions were advocating for these changes for us. Months later, a signed open letter was sent to FIFA calling for these improvements, and FIFA confirmed before the tournament that they would be in place.

In June 2022, a year before the World Cup, the New Zealand team had a face-to-face meeting with FIFPRO about pushing for improved prize money and conditions at the 2023 World Cup. It was incredible for us to have that support, and the support of our PFA, where our unions were advocating for these changes for us. Months later, a signed open letter was sent to FIFA calling for these improvements, and FIFA confirmed before the tournament that they would be in place.
We were in a pre-camp when we learned about the minimum payment to players, depending on how far you progress at the tournament, that goes directly to the player. It was life changing – for us and for other women’s international players around the world that never had access to that full-time professional element, including myself who has always worked alongside playing.
For that to finally happen and to be rewarded, it was well needed and deserved from all the players. It was a huge weight off everyone's shoulders given a lot of us have always had two jobs.
The improved conditions were also a huge step. I’ve played at five World Cups, the first at China 2007 when I was 16-years-old, and wherever we went, we travelled economy via the longest route. Travelling that distance from New Zealand to China, Germany, Canada, France – it was always four or five flights – being in economy and then arriving and needing to play, was always difficult to recover.




That direct travel with chartered flights in 2023 was different to anything I had ever experienced before. For the New Zealand players that were based overseas at that time arriving home for the tournament, it was a game changer for them coming in and being able to perform at their best.
When I look back to those early World Cups I played in, our kit has also changed significantly. For years we were competing in men's kit that went well past my knees – which isn't that hard because I'm pretty short! – but that men's cut is huge and not forgiving on women’s players at all.
We also took a giant step last year in changing our shorts so that they weren’t white. It shows we value what is important to females, making them feel comfortable and at ease to be able to play football.
As a female, where it has felt like we have always been continuously fighting for our rights, fighting for change and for better conditions, on reflection we made huge steps at that World Cup. I never saw changes quite like that in the 18 years I’ve played for the national team.
Credit needs to go to FIFPRO, our PFA, and other player associations around the world for not just helping make this change but also taking the burden away from the players. We were able to concentrate on our football, on representing our countries and it meant the stress wasn’t on us.

Outside of playing football, I work with New Zealand Football as the Women’s Development Manager. I work part-time over the Wellington Phoenix campaign and once when the football season ends, I go back to full-time with the federation. While the World Cup improvements have gone a long way to support players, there is still some way to go in terms of the A-League and others around the world making it easier for players.
My role with New Zealand Football is around community and participation, which means getting more females and young girls into the game across playing, coaching, even refereeing. It's a real highlight seeing the growth and in particular the exposure the World Cup has had on these girls, and them having female role models. In New Zealand, female player participation is already up 13 percent and no doubt this year that number will go even higher than participated.
While significant improvements have been made and they should be rightly celebrated, I would like to see equal prize money and conditions at the Women’s World Cup for that next generation of footballers coming through.