FIFA Head Infantino Says Women's World Cup Breaks Even

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Semi Final - Australia v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 16, 2023 FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pictured in the stands REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Semi Final - Australia v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 16, 2023 FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pictured in the stands REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
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FIFA Head Infantino Says Women's World Cup Breaks Even

FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Semi Final - Australia v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 16, 2023 FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pictured in the stands REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Soccer Football - FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023 - Semi Final - Australia v England - Stadium Australia, Sydney, Australia - August 16, 2023 FIFA president Gianni Infantino is pictured in the stands REUTERS/Jaimi Joy/File Photo

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Friday that the Women’s World Cup has “broken even” after generating more than $570 million in revenue but dismissed suggestions for equal prize money with the men's World Cup.
The current World Cup prize pools sit at $110 million for women and $440 million for men. Infantino has consistently played down calls for equal payments.
On Friday, he suggested demands for equal prize money were a “slogan” that “would not solve anything."
“Some voices were raised, where it cost too much, we don’t make enough revenues, we will have to subsidize,” Infantino said at the FIFA Women’s Football Convention, according to The Associated Press.
“And our opinion was, ‘Well, if we have to subsidize, we will subsidize’, because we have to do that. But actually, this World Cup generated over $570 million in revenues, and so we broke even."
Infantino said FIFA didn't lose money “and we generated the second-highest income of any sport, besides of course the men’s World Cup, at a global stage."
“More than half a billion. There are not many competitions, even in men’s football, who generate more than half a billion."
Infantino urged broadcasters and sponsors to “pay a fair price" for women’s soccer — “to women’s football in general in all the countries, in all the leagues, in all the competitions.”



Monfils Warms Up for Final French Open with Star-studded Farewell Party

FILE - Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)
FILE - Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)
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Monfils Warms Up for Final French Open with Star-studded Farewell Party

FILE - Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)
FILE - Gael Monfils of France plays a forehand return to Dane Sweeny of Australia during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Jan. 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

Gael Monfils brought the party to Roland Garros on Thursday, teaming up with his wife Elina Svitolina to win a lively, star-studded exhibition match as he prepared for his final appearance at his home Grand Slam.

The popular Frenchman took center stage on Court Philippe-Chatrier for 'Gael & Friends', an evening that blended tennis, music and tributes to celebrate his two-decade journey on the professional tour.

The former world number six was joined by an array of leading players, including Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas.

Four-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka also ⁠featured, alongside Maria ⁠Sakkari and rising American talent Iva Jovic, while his former Davis Cup teammates Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet added a nostalgic touch to the occasion.

Monfils and Svitolina capped the night by winning the exhibition event, delighting the Paris crowd in an event filled with laughter, trick shots and ⁠playful exchanges replacing the usual tension of a competition.

Monfils won 13 ATP titles and enjoyed memorable runs in Paris, including a semi-final appearance in 2008. He helped France to Davis Cup finals in 2010 and 2014.

While a Grand Slam title eluded him, his impact extended far beyond results and his on-court charisma made him a major draw card wherever he played.

"Thanks to you all for everything you've given me over the years," the 39-year-old showman said after the ⁠exhibition match. "It's ⁠been a dream of my life. I've always given my absolute most. I was never quite good enough to win a Grand Slam. But maybe I won something more important than that - a tennis career I'm proud of."

Svitolina, who had earlier called her husband "a magician" in a note written to their daughter, was reduced to tears as Monfils lingered on court, soaking up one final ovation, Reuters reported.

Monfils will play 25-year-old compatriot Hugo Gaston in the first round at Roland Garros next week, his 19th appearance in the main draw at the French Open.


Ronaldo's Brace Fires Al Nassr to Saudi League Title With 4-1 Win Over Damac

Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after his team scored their second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Damac at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh on May 21, 2026. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after his team scored their second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Damac at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh on May 21, 2026. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
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Ronaldo's Brace Fires Al Nassr to Saudi League Title With 4-1 Win Over Damac

Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after his team scored their second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Damac at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh on May 21, 2026. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)
Nassr's Portuguese forward #07 Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after his team scored their second goal during the Saudi Pro League football match between Al-Nassr and Damac at the Al-Awwal Park Stadium in Riyadh on May 21, 2026. (Photo by Fayez NURELDINE / AFP)

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice to help Al Nassr clinch the Saudi Pro League title with a 4-1 victory over Damac on the final day of the season, with Sadio Mane and Kingsley Coman also on the scoresheet for Jorge Jesus's side.

The win meant Al Nassr finished on 86 points, two clear of rivals Al Hilal, who beat Al Fayha 1-0 but were left ⁠to settle for ⁠second place.

The triumph marks Al Nassr's first league crown since 2019 and the first Saudi title for Ronaldo, who joined the team in late 2022.

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 21, 2026 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates after winning the Saudi Pro League REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Al Nassr broke the deadlock in the 34th ⁠minute when Mane rose to meet a Joao Felix corner, powering a header past the goalkeeper.

They extended their lead in the 52nd minute when Coman weaved past the defense before unleashing a fierce left-footed strike from outside the area into the bottom corner, Reuters reported.

Damac were handed a lifeline when Morlaye Sylla converted a penalty in the ⁠58th ⁠minute, but any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished.

Soccer Football - Saudi Pro League - Al Nassr v Damac - Al Awwal Park, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia - May 21, 2026 Al Nassr's Cristiano Ronaldo and team members celebrate with the trophy after winning the Saudi Pro League REUTERS/Hamad I Mohammed

Ronaldo restored the two-goal cushion five minutes later, curling a sublime free kick into the net to make it 3-1.

The Portuguese great put the result beyond doubt in the 81st minute. He pounced on a loose ball after the Damac defense failed to clear a cross, smashing a powerful shot into the top corner.


French Open Boss: Prize Money Will Not Change Despite Players' Complaints

A ballgirl stands during the draw for the French Open tennis tournament, Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A ballgirl stands during the draw for the French Open tennis tournament, Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
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French Open Boss: Prize Money Will Not Change Despite Players' Complaints

A ballgirl stands during the draw for the French Open tennis tournament, Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)
A ballgirl stands during the draw for the French Open tennis tournament, Thursday, May 21, 2026, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

The French Open prize money will not change this year despite players complaining they deserve a bigger share, tournament director Amelie Mauresmo said on Thursday.

Top players have criticized the Open organizers for reducing the players’ share of revenue to an alleged 14.3% — compared to 22% at standard ATP and WTA events.

To show their discontent, many competing at Roland Garros, where play begins on Sunday, are planning to limit their interaction with reporters to 15 minutes during Friday’s traditional pre-tournament media day.

Mauresmo, a former Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, said she remained open to dialogue and was confident of a solution. A meeting is expected on Friday between tournament organizers and the players and their representatives.

But asked whether there was a chance the prize money would change this year, Mauresmo said: "No, we are not going to change anything. We are going to initiate discussions and that is what everyone wants.”

Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and No. 4 Coco Gauff were among leading players this month who supported a boycott of the Grand Slams if they don’t start receiving more compensation.

Roland Garros organizers increased the prize money by about 10%, after the US Open last year raised their's by 20% and this year's Australian Open by 16%.

The entire French Open pot was 61.7 million euros ($72 million), up 5.3 million euros from last year. But the players claimed their share of Roland Garros revenue declined from 15.5% in 2024 to 14.9% projected in 2026. They say the event generated 395 million euros in 2025, a 14% year-on-year increase, yet prize money rose by just 5.4%, reducing players’ share of revenue to 14.3%.

The singles champions at Roland Garros will each receive 2.8 million euros, an increase of 250,000 euros compared with 2025.

“I’m not going to tell you that everything will be resolved with the snap of a finger," Mauresmo said. “But the discussions will continue, probably after the tournament.”