Photo via BBC Sport

Women's billion-dollar boom leaves players behind, says Fifpro

A comprehensive study by the international players union reveals that despite the rapid commercial expansion of women's soccer toward a billion-dollar valuation, many athletes in top-tier domestic competitions continue to struggle with minimal compensation, temporary paperwork, and mounting psychological pressure. According to responses gathered from over eight hundred participants, nearly six in ten individuals contemplate walking away from the sport prematurely for financial reasons, while a similar proportion battles mental health hurdles without proper institutional backing from their clubs or national federations.

Furthermore, despite governing body criteria defining professionalism through written agreements and earnings beyond basic expenses, significant numbers of first-tier competitors report receiving insufficient income to cover their operational costs, with monthly averages varying dramatically from thousands of dollars in North America down to a few hundred in African leagues.

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