New women’s football national team player survey highlights advancements across confederations – but players feel gaps need addressing

• FIFPRO surveyed 407 national team players from 41 countries between August and October about their pay and conditions
• Two-thirds of players earned less than $20,000 per year, highlighting a lack of financial stability, and 25 percent had a job outside football
• Adding to this precarity, one-third of players had a club contract of less than one year, and 22 percent had no contract at all

A FIFPRO survey of women’s football national team players who competed in their confederation championships this year illustrates how footballers experience their current national team environments and domestic conditions.
 
The player survey gives a snapshot of domestic employment conditions and international football in 2025 for tournaments across the UEFA Women’s EURO, Copa America Femenina, CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and OFC Women's Nations Cup. FIFPRO and affiliated national player unions surveyed 407 footballers from 41 nations between August and October.
 
"This is a repeat of the survey we conducted in 2022 across all confederations and while some notable advancements have been made, the data indicates that further progress is needed if we are to enable players, and women’s football more broadly, to maximise potential," Dr Alex Culvin, FIFPRO Director of Women’s Football, said. 
 
"There have been some important reforms that have reshaped the competitive calendar, including phasing out integrated Women’s World Cup qualifying within confederation championships, and an increase in prize money and a player-dedicated share at the UEFA Women’s Euro. However, player-dedicated prize money has not yet been replicated elsewhere at confederation level.

"The data highlights areas where confederations, competition organisers and stakeholders can and should continue to raise standards to support the increased professionalisation of the women’s game." 

Income: Women’s football is growing but gaps remain

Although income has increased for some players, the survey shows that there is a lack of financial security for most players.
 
Sixty-six percent of players earn below $20,000 annually from football, with nearly one-third of those reporting earnings between $0 and $4,999. Only a small minority reach higher income brackets.
 
Clubs remain the dominant source of income for players, followed by national team payments, though nearly one in four players continue to rely on additional employment outside football. 
 
“Financial stability is a cornerstone of any career,” Dr Culvin said. “The data is very clear: most players are earning insufficient income to ensure secure careers within the game. It is a risk to the sustainability of the game because players will be inclined to leave football early to make ends meet.  
 
“Players noted improvements in professionalism and structure compared to 2022, which shows that in some regions that investment and visibility are having an impact.”

Contract length: Short-term deals still commonplace 

Domestic football careers remain shaped by instability. Among players who signed club contracts:

• 33% were contracted for one year or less
• 22% reported being uncontracted entirely

Workload: Players feel there is limited recovery

International tournaments remain highly demanding, with players reporting congested schedules and insufficient rest:

• 58% of players said rest before matches was not long enough
• 57% said rest after matches was not long enough

Travel: Most players still flying economy

Travel conditions during tournaments continue to vary widely, but the survey shows a clear pattern:

• 75% of players travelled in economy class, with just 11% in premium economy or business
• A large majority (77%) travelled by air to at least one match or competition and most did multiple times

Next steps

After every major tournament FIFPRO, in collaboration with member unions, surveys players, focusing on their in-tournament experiences and critical employment metrics such as income, contract length, workload and rest.  
 
"Player feedback is an essential element of developing our strategic and industry priorities,” Dr Culvin said. "At the confederation level, we have seen significant developments after our report in 2022 and, without player feedback, those changes would not be possible. 

"However, we know there is still much work to be done across the world to ensure that players are playing, resting and recovering in conditions that are suitable for high-performance athletes."