Fifpro Warns Women’s Football Growth Is Leaving Players Behind

Culvin believes the gap between what players expect and what they actually experience is becoming increasingly pronounced.

“The entire system needs to recognise that players are struggling and are not receiving the comprehensive support or accountability they require,” she said.

Nevertheless, some developments have been encouraging.

One notable area of progress involves support for players who want to become parents.

In 2017, almost half of the surveyed players who were thinking about ending their careers early said their desire to start a family could force them to leave football.

That proportion has since dropped to 19%, a change Fifpro partly links to maternity rules introduced by Fifa in 2021 and revised two years ago.

“Our findings demonstrate something extremely important: carefully targeted regulation can be effective, as shown by the maternity protections introduced in 2021,” Culvin said.

The report also points to an expanding disparity across women’s football. While leading clubs and high-profile players have gained greater investment and exposure, a large share of the global playing workforce continues to face insecurity.

“The industry directs much of its attention towards the leading 5% of players,” Culvin said.

“The remaining 95% often deal with late wages and short-term contracts. Many are not paid throughout the entire year, leaving them in highly unstable and vulnerable working conditions.”

Even so, Fifpro maintains that growth should not be restricted. Instead, commercial progress and safeguards for players must advance at the same pace.

“Commercial expansion and player protection should not be treated as competing priorities,” Culvin said.

“They must progress together and reinforce one another.”

“The message is that the current situation cannot continue. The industry must address players’ needs, place their perspectives at the heart of the process and give them meaningful representation whenever decisions affecting their careers and welfare are made,” she said.