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The players have outlined three demands: proportionately equal prize money based on the number of teams and matches at each tournament, a guarantee that at least 30 per cent of the women's prize fund goes directly to players, and minimum standards for women's national teams.

Women's national team players could take FIFA to court over the difference in prize money between the men's and women's World Cups if an agreement is not reached ahead of next year's tournament in Brazil.

The possible legal challenge follows a September letter sent to FIFA by global players' union FIFPRO and representatives of 45 countries, demanding proportionately equal payments for players at both competitions.

According to The Athletic, which obtained and verified the letter, signatories include players from reigning world champions Spain, European champions England and the United States, as well as the other nations in the current top 10 of the women's world rankings.

The players have outlined three demands: proportionately equal prize money based on the number of teams and matches at each tournament, a guarantee that at least 30 per cent of the women's prize fund goes directly to players, and minimum standards for women's national teams.

They also want FIFA and FIFPRO to sign a binding global agreement protecting these commitments.

"When adopted, these proposals will ensure equal pay for equal work for both women and men," the letter states.

With no binding agreement in place, FIFPRO and several national players' unions have sought legal advice on their options if FIFA rejects the proposals.

One national union told the sports outlet it was prepared to take FIFA to court unless negotiations produced a clear commitment to gender equality in payments. It is also discussing possible legal action with other unions.

The players believe Article 23 of FIFA's Code of Ethics, which addresses discrimination, supports their position. They also argue that FIFA applies financial restrictions to the women's competition that do not exist in the men's tournament.

The 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand had a record $110 million (Sh14.3 billion) prize fund, compared with $655 million (Sh85.1 billion) in performance-based prize money distributed at this year's men's World Cup in North America.

In 2023, FIFA president Gianni Infantino expressed an ambition to achieve equal prize money by 2027, but the two sides have yet to reach a binding agreement.

In a joint statement to The Athletic, FIFA and FIFPRO said discussions remained constructive, pointing to improvements in player payments and working conditions at the 2023 tournament.

They added that negotiations for Brazil 2027 covered prize money and wider financial support for women's football, saying their ambition included equalising payments.