A comprehensive report released by FIFA on Monday details stark disparities in women’s professional football globally. Titled “Setting the Pace, FIFA Benchmarking Report on Women’s Football”, the study examines data from 86 leagues and 669 clubs across 90 countries in 2024.
The average annual salary for female professional players stands at £8,600 ($10,900), a figure heavily influenced by a small group of high-earning clubs. In contrast, Tier 1 clubs—comprising 41 teams from 16 nations—pay an average of £18,950 ($24,030), with some offering salaries exceeding £39,500 ($50,000). These findings underline the financial inequalities persisting in the sport.
The FIFA report categorises clubs into three tiers, revealing significant pay gaps between them. Tier 1, representing elite teams, offers the highest salaries, with the top earner reaching approximately £94,700 ($120,000) annually. However, Tier 2 and Tier 3 clubs report much lower averages of £3,440 ($4,361) and £2,210 ($2,805), respectively. This disparity highlights uneven investment, with only a fraction of clubs able to provide substantial wages. The report notes that many players in lower tiers rely on secondary income sources, limiting their ability to focus solely on football.
Contract structures and attendance figures also vary widely, according to the FIFA study. In Tier 1 leagues, larger venues occasionally double the average attendance compared to regular stadiums, suggesting untapped potential for bigger crowds. Across all tiers, only 22% of head coaches are female, while 42% of referees are women, indicating a gender imbalance in key roles.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino stated: “The strides made in recent years have been remarkable, but there is still more work to be done to unlock its full potential.” These statistics point to both progress and ongoing challenges in the women’s game.
Financial data from the report reveals that Tier 1 leagues generate an average revenue of £3.47 million ($4.4 million) but face expenses nearing £6 million ($7.6 million), reflecting a deficit common across all tiers. The highest-earning league in Tier 1 vastly outpaces the lowest, though specific figures remain undisclosed. Investment in women’s football continues to rise, yet the report emphasises that global revenue disparities hinder equitable growth. Clubs like Barcelona and top National Women’s Soccer League teams exemplify higher earnings, yet the average Tier 1 club revenue sits at £1.06 million ($1.35 million).
FIFA’s findings aim to guide stakeholders in addressing these gaps, with Infantino stressing the need for a better understanding of success factors. The report, based on responses from 677 clubs, underscores the necessity for increased funding, improved coaching pathways for women, and enhanced support systems like maternity leave—available to only 22% of Tier 3 players.
The data serves as a critical tool for leagues and clubs to strengthen the sport’s foundation in 2025 and beyond.
Madukwe B. Nwabuisi is an accomplished journalist renown for his fearless reporting style and extensive expertise in the field. He is an investigative journalist, who has established himself as a kamikaze reporter.
