Women's soccer took one small step toward equity this World Cup. But giant leaps remain

What's a world-class soccer player worth?

If you're a woman, about one-quarter of a man, according to world soccer governing body FIFA. And that's still more equal than the sport has ever been.

As this year's Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand wraps up Sunday, observers say the small steps toward� equity this time will need to pick up momentum if FIFA is to reach its stated goal of equal pay by 2026-27.

Laura Jane Robinson, a Canadian sports journalist and author, calls the pay discrepancy "appalling."

"I think that generally people do believe on this planet that women should be treated equitably, and I hope that these numbers are going to change very quickly," she told CBC News.

A quick look at the numbers: a $152-million US fund was set by FIFA for this year's 32-team Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, a big boost from the 24-team 2019 tourney, which had a $40-million fund.

The global players union FIFPRO also lobbied for — and won — a guarantee that some of the funds would go directly to the players. 

Those are big changes, but it's still a small fraction of the prize money pool for the men's World Cup last year in Qatar: $440 million.

To compare just the Canadian teams, both were knocked out early from their respective World Cups, but the men's team received $9 million compared to $1.56 million for the women.

"The last place men's team at the Men's World Cup is still making more than the winning team at the Women's World Cup," Robinson said.

Earlier this year, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that the ultimate goal is equity between the men's and women's games by the 2026 Men's World Cup and the 2027 women's edition.

FIFA has blamed the pay gap on low bids from sponsors and broadcasters