# Women's football boom leaves players behind

> Fifpro warns women's football's billion-dollar growth ignores player welfare.
- Title: Women's football boom leaves players behind · BBC Sport
- Summary: Fifpro warns women's football's billion-dollar growth ignores player welfare. Fifpro survey shows 59% of women footballers cite financial reasons for early…
- Keywords: fifpro, women's football, mental health, financial stress, contract terms, player welfare, women's football league, salary growth, sports, Women's, football, boom
- Source: BBC Sport — https://bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/cmd7qn1g0xrxo
- Published: 2026-10-12T10:04:50.159+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: fifpro, women's football, mental health, financial stress, contract terms, player welfare, women's football league, salary growth, sports
## Women's football growth
Women's football is expected to become a billion-dollar industry by 2027.
## Financial struggles
59% of players cited financial reasons for leaving football early, while 46% reported psychological stress.
## Mental health crisis
57% of women players struggle with mental health, half receive no club support.
## Wage disparities
Players earn less than £15,000 annually, with regional pay gaps from $480 in Africa to $6,450 in North America.
## Contract insecurity
Only two-thirds of players receive full annual pay, with 24% facing late payments and 42% lacking pensions.
## Player identity
62% of players see themselves as professional, yet 78% have written contracts and 82% are paid by clubs.
## Wage growth gaps
Mean monthly earnings tripled since 2017 to $2,601, but median pay remains $1,669.
## Regional pay gaps
Players in North America earn $6,450 monthly, while those in Africa earn just $480.
## Short-term contracts
24% of players faced late payments, 42% lack pensions, and contracts average 19 months.
## Player welfare concerns
Fifpro warns the economic boom could mask daily realities for players.

> Culvin warned the economic boom in women's football could 'mask some of the realities that players face and actually endure on a day-to-day basis'.
## Positive shift
Maternity regulations reduced early retirement due to family to 19% from 50%.
## Future outlook
Fifpro urges commercial growth and player welfare to develop together.

> What we're saying is enough is enough and the industry needs to react to the players' needs and centralise the players' voice, ensure that players have a seat at the table when decisions that affect them are being made about them.
## Key takeaway

Fifpro survey shows 59% of women footballers cite financial reasons for early retirement, with 57% struggling with mental health.