The organization that runs soccer in the United States says its men's and women's national soccer teams will receive equal pay.The U.S. is the first country in the world to make such a promise.The U.S. Soccer Federation made the announcement Wednesday.It worked with players' groups from both the men's and women's teams to reach an agreement that runs through the end of 2028.Both groups of players had been playing in games without contracts.The American women's soccer team is one of the best in the world.The men's soccer team has seen less success; it did not qualify for the World Cup in 2018.Players on the men's team, however, have always received much more money than players on the women's team.Margaret Purce is a player for the women's team.She said the agreement will help women and girls "recognize their value rather than having to fight for it."The final part of the agreement that needed to be worked out was how the players would be paid for competing in the World Cup.The women's team won the last two tournaments but still earned far less than the men.The players' groups, known as unions, agreed to combine the money they received from FIFA, the soccer organization that runs the World Cup.
