Women's football is booming, but players say pay and support lag behind

Six in 10 players in women's professional football say money could force them to quit the game early.

The warning comes from a global survey of more than 800 footballers by FIFPRO, the world players' union, published on 12 October. It paints a picture of a sport growing fast in the stands and on the balance sheet, but still fragile in the dressing room, according to BBC Sport.

Global revenue in women's football is expected to rise from about $581m in 2024 to more than $1bn in 2027. Pay has improved sharply from a low base. Mean average monthly earnings have tripled since 2017 to $2,601, while the median salary now stands at $1,669.

But the headline figures hide a harder day-to-day reality. Only 62% of those surveyed described themselves as professional, with 27% semi-professional and 12% amateur. All played for clubs in the top tier in their country, yet only 78% had a written contract.

The gap is stark. Around 82% said they were paid by their club. Only 57% said that pay was enough to cover the costs of playing football. And 59% cited financial reasons as a reason they might leave the game early.

Pay also depends heavily on where a player lives. Average monthly pay was $6,450 in North America and $3,982 in central and Western Europe, compared with $878 in Eastern Europe and $480 in Africa. In 10 Eastern European countries, average pay remains below the national minimum wage.

Mental health is the other pressing concern. More than half of the women who responded, 57%, said they had struggled with their mental health. Half of those players said their club gave them no support.

Psychological stress is now a major reason players consider walking away. Some 46% named it as a factor for leaving early, up from 13% in FIFPRO's 2017 survey.

For fans, this means the growth you see on television does not yet reach every player. Full stadiums and new broadcast deals sit alongside short contracts, second jobs and lonely struggles.

The game has come a long way since 2017. The players are saying the next step is basic security: proper contracts, a wage that covers the job, and someone to talk to when it gets tough.