Lucy Bronze: Lionesses ‘feel empowered’ to improve standards

This year, for the first time at a Women’s World Cup, players will receive individual payments directly from Fifa. Money from Fifa was previously given to national football associations, who would then choose how to distribute it, including any payments to players.

The payments from Fifa this year range from £23,500 for players whose teams are knocked out in the group stages to £211,000 if they win the tournament. Nations will also receive increased prize money, with the champions set to be paid £3.4m.

England’s players feel the FA, which considers itself to be a leading federation in women’s football, is being overshadowed by some rivals – including Australia, the United States and Spain – who are willing to provide bonuses to their squad members.

“I like to give my opinion, I’m strong-minded. We have a few players like that who set the standard,” said Bronze.

“It hasn’t taken our attention away [from the World Cup]. We’ve managed it perfectly. It’s the principle of pushing the game, pushing standards higher. It’s not just what the figures are, it’s what it represents.”

Australia’s squad have also criticised the gender disparity in World Cup prize money and the fact some nations do not have collective bargaining rights.

Before the United States won their second successive Women’s World Cup in 2019, players filed a discrimination lawsuit against US Soccer regarding equal pay, and later found an agreement in 2022.

Striker Alex Morgan said last month the USA are in a “different space” going into this year’s tournament because of improvements in equality, but other countries are still fighting for it.

Bronze said she had discussions with the USA’s Morgan and Spain’s Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas earlier this year.

“We’re not doing this for ourselves. We can set a standard, something we’ve seen with the US team. They won World Cups because of it and all teams are seeing that,” added Bronze.

“The World Cup gives us the big stage, it’s when people want to listen to us, when things really matter, and [it’s] why so many teams are speaking about it. It’s the only moment they sometimes get this stage.

“Teams across the board are empowering each other, to push the game on. It’s the biggest World Cup ever, and I’m sure in four years’ time it will be even bigger thanks to the changes that we’re able to make.”