Most womens national team players earn less than $20,000, FIFPRO study shows

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MANCHESTER, England, Dec 18 - Two-thirds of womens national team players earn less than $20,000 annually, according to a new FIFPRO survey that highlights persistent financial insecurity and structural gaps in ‍the ​womens game.

The global players union and affiliated national players ‍unions surveyed 407 footballers from 41 nations who participated in the UEFA Womens Euros, Copa America Femenina, ​the ​Womens Africa Cup of Nations and the OFC Womens Nations Cup.

Some 66% of players earn below $20,000 annually from football and nearly one-third of respondents reported earning between $0 and $4,999 ‍from football, while only a small minority reached higher income brackets.

Professional clubs remain the main ​source of income, followed by national ⁠team payments, yet one in four players still rely on jobs outside football to make ends meet.

Financial stability is a cornerstone of any career, said FIFPROs Director of Womens Football Alex Culvin. 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 sport because ​players will be inclined to leave football early to make ends meet.

The survey, conducted between August and October, also revealed short-term contracts remain common: 33% of players were signed for one year or less, and 22% had no contract at all.

International competition schedules continue to strain players, with 58% saying pre-match rest was inadequate and 57% reporting insufficient recovery after games.

Travel ‍conditions are also an issue, with three-quarters of players flying economy class during tournaments, ​with only 11% in premium economy or business.

While FIFPRO noted improvements since their 2022 survey – including increased ​prize money