A recent benchmarking report from FIFA highlights the ongoing growth in investments in women’s soccer, but it also points to significant disparities in revenue and resource access on a global scale.
The report, published on Friday, examined 86 leagues encompassing 669 clubs that participated in self-reporting surveys, sharing data on averages such as salaries, league revenue, and expenses.
Financial Disparities Among Leagues
The findings reveal pronounced gaps in revenue and expenses across these leagues. Notably, all three tiers reported higher costs than revenues. Tier 1 leagues, regarded as the premier leagues in women’s soccer, averaged over $4.4 million in revenue but faced expenses nearing $7.6 million. Conversely, Tier 3 leagues reported minimal revenue at $76,000 against expenses amounting to $182,000.
FIFA classified the leagues as follows: Tier 1 as “elite,” Tier 2 as “aspiring,” and Tier 3 as “emerging.” While FIFA refrained from disclosing specific league names, they provided parameters for classification methodology.
Revenue Comparison Among Elite Leagues
Among the elite leagues, discrepancies are stark: the league generating the highest revenue in Tier 1 reported earnings that far exceed those of the lowest revenue earner, reflecting hundreds of times an income difference, although FIFA did not identify the specific league.
Average figures in the report may be skewed due to the variance in league sizes within each tier.
According to a recent Deloitte study, Barcelona’s women’s team leads in European revenue, exceeding $19 million, while the top revenue team in the National Women’s Soccer League generates nearly double that amount. Despite these standout teams, FIFA’s average operating revenue for a Tier 1 club was noted at just $1.35 million.
FIFA’s Commitment to Women’s Soccer
FIFA President Gianni Infantino remarked, “This month, FIFA has introduced the timelines and formats for two groundbreaking global women’s club competitions. As we develop these tournaments, it is crucial that we provide insights and resources to support stakeholders in women’s football, ensuring we build on the strong foundations already established.” He emphasized that the findings from this report will guide the creation of tailored programs focused on advancing women’s football, underlining the importance of this effort in the evolving landscape of women’s club soccer.
Addressing Quality of Play
The impact of investment disparities on the quality of play is expected to become more apparent with FIFA’s announcement of a competition starting in January 2026, which will showcase the champions from six continents before a broader Women’s Club World Cup set for 2028.
Salary and Wellbeing Insights
FIFA’s benchmarking study indicates that the average gross salary for players globally stands at just $10,900, a figure negatively influenced by lower-tier leagues. Yet, Tier 1 players earn an average gross salary of approximately $24,300.
In terms of essential player support, there are significant inequalities. Only 38% of Tier 3 players have access to health insurance, a figure significantly lower than that of Tier 1 players. While maternity leave is available to 64% of players in Tiers 1 and 2, only 22% of those in Tier 3 leagues can expect the same support.
The report identifies maternity leave as “an achievable first step” toward enhancing care for players during and after pregnancy.
Women in Coaching Roles
FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis noted that one critical finding from the report is that only 22% of head coaches across all surveyed leagues are women. Although improvement in this figure will take time, leveraging data can help identify areas for investment and development in women’s coaching programs, thus unlocking more opportunities for women both on and off the field.
Spending in Tier 1 leagues has seen the greatest proportional increases in staffing and administrative costs compared to less established leagues. While 95% of Tier 1 players have access to a players’ association, this resource is available to only 36% of players in Tier 3 leagues. Even within Tier 1, only 36% of players benefit from a collective bargaining agreement.
Path Forward
The study’s findings provoke a strong call to action for further investment in women’s soccer, particularly in coaching and resources, to foster growth and equity in the sport. FIFA aims to bridge the gender gap in coaching and improve the overall landscape of women’s soccer.
