FIFA Releases Comprehensive Report on Women’s Football
Zurich, Switzerland, March 18 (UNI) – FIFA has unveiled the fourth edition of its influential benchmarking report, “Setting the Pace,” which provides valuable insights into the elements contributing to success in women’s football clubs and leagues globally.
Expansion of the Report
This latest edition represents a major advancement from its predecessors, which focused primarily on the top 30 to 34 women’s leagues in the world. The fourth edition broadens its scope to include not only elite leagues but also spans three different tiers of women’s football, capturing a more diverse range of competitions.
Comprehensive Data Coverage
The report thoroughly examines 86 leagues and 669 clubs, which provides a more detailed and accurate representation of the global landscape of women’s club football.
Inclusivity of Member Associations
In an effort to create a more inclusive dataset, FIFA invited participation from all 211 Member Associations that have an operational top-tier women’s league in their country. This initiative aims to facilitate the collection of enhanced information across six vital areas: sporting success, governance, financial dynamics, fan engagement, digitalization, and player-related issues.
Focus on Best Practices
The expanded dataset aims to empower clubs, leagues, and stakeholders worldwide by offering insights into successful practices and trends found in the most prosperous women’s football leagues. This serves as a valuable resource for supporting leagues at various stages of professional development.
Launching New Global Competitions
FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented, “As we initiate the development of two groundbreaking global women’s club competitions, it is essential to provide insights and resources to stakeholders in women’s football. Our goal is to build upon the established foundations, using findings from this report to craft tailored programs that will help Member Associations continue to elevate the professionalization of women’s football.”
Key Recommendations in the Report
The fourth edition of “Setting the Pace” includes 15 recommendations for leagues and clubs, addressing all six focal areas. Recommendations cover a variety of topics, including season lengths, player and coach pathways, safeguarding practices, contract regulations, maternity policies, broadcast opportunities, and social media engagement.
Addressing Gender Disparities
FIFA Chief Football Officer Jill Ellis highlighted a significant finding: only 22 percent of head coaches across the 86 leagues and 669 clubs are women. “While we cannot change this overnight, analyzing the data allows us to identify areas where we need to invest and adapt our women’s coach development programs, ultimately empowering women both on and off the pitch,” Ellis remarked.
A Commitment to Continuous Improvement
Last December, FIFA introduced the Global Benchmarking of Women’s Leagues as part of its Women’s Development Programme, which will extend through 2027—the year of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. This commitment to regular, in-depth research emphasizes FIFA’s dedication to enhancing the quality and competitiveness of women’s leagues globally through thoughtful analysis and actionable insights.
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