The Differences Between the Men’s and Women’s FIFA World Cup

Megan Rapinoe at the FIFA Women's World Cup on July 22 in Auckland, New Zealand.

The scene at the Women's World Cup Parade in NYC.

The FIFA World Cup is soccer’s greatest spectacle. Every four years, fans from around the globe flock to see their favorite teams, while millions more tune in on television.

Today, men and women have their own FIFA World Cups, but this wasn’t always the case. While the rules of soccer are the same across both genders, the events do have some key differences.

As the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup continues until Aug. 20, learn more about how it varies from the men’s tournament.

The Men’s World Cup Came First

BELO HORIZONTE - JUNE 29: American goalkeeper Frank Borghi saves in front of Tom Finney during the England-USA match on June 29, 1950 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in which the American team won 1-0 much to the amazement of the football world. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images) — The 1950 World Cup. Getty Images

The first World Cup took place in 1930, more than 70 years before the Women’s World Cup began. There were unofficial women’s world cups as early as the ’70s, but FIFA didn’t get involved until 1988, when it held a global women’s tournament in China. Three years later, the federation officially established the Women’s World Cup.

The Men’s World Cup Typically Has More Teams

For years, only the men’s tournament had 32 teams, while the Women’s World Cup had 24. This year, though, things have changed, and the women’s tournament now has the same amount of teams. Before the ’70s, women’s soccer was banned in several countries, which may also explain why national teams took longer to proliferate.

The Amount of Prize Money Differs

During the last Women’s World Cup in 2019, the prize pool was $30 million. This paled in comparison to the money offered during the men’s tournament in 2018, which totaled $400 million.

In 2023, the prize money for the Women’s World Cup quintupled to $150 million. This is still lower than the men’s World Cup, however. For the 2022 championship in Qatar, the winning team received $440 million.

Women’s Teams Are Smaller

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 22: Lindsey Horan of USA celebrates after scoring her team's third goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group E match between USA and Vietnam at Eden Park on July 22, 2023 in Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau, New Zealand. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images) — Lindsey Horan during the FIFA Women’s World Cup on July 22 in Auckland, New Zealand. Getty Images

In 2022, men’s teams upped their rosters from 23 to 26 players. This year, women’s teams are still comprised of only 23 players.

Men and Women Used to Play on Different Terrain

Men’s matches during the World Cup are played on real grass, while women played on artificial turf until 2023. Before this change, players including Alex Morgan spoke about how artificial turf affects athletes differently.

“Not only are there long-lasting injuries, but there are long-term effects of playing on turf,” Morgan, who plays for the U.S., told USA Today in 2014. “Tendons and ligaments are more sore after turf. It takes longer to recover from a turf field than natural grass.”