The world of women's soccer is at a critical juncture, with player well-being hanging in the balance. A new report from the global players' union, FIFPRO, sheds light on the escalating demands placed on elite female athletes. This report highlights the urgent need for rest and recovery, revealing a complex issue with far-reaching consequences.
This isn't just about more games; it's about the entire structure of the sport. FIFPRO's findings reveal that top players are facing an ever-increasing workload due to the expansion of women's leagues globally, the growth of international competitions, and the introduction of new tournaments. This means more matches, more travel, and less time for crucial rest and recovery. But here's where it gets controversial: while some top players are experiencing burnout, many others aren't getting enough playing time or quality training. This disparity hinders their development and could lead to injuries.
FIFPRO's report, released on a Friday, emphasizes this imbalance. The union is advocating for a more balanced competition calendar and stronger player protections. This includes mandated rest periods, a crucial element in safeguarding player health and career longevity.
"It's about the calendar and the rhythm of the calendar, but it's also about the conditions in which those games are played and the rest and recovery for the players," explains Alex Culvin, FIFPRO's Director of Women's Football. "We take this as a very holistic view. It's all about growing the game sustainably, but allowing the players to be in environments where they can thrive."
The data, gathered from 300 players across 30 leagues during the 2024-25 season, paints a stark picture. For the first time since FIFPRO began collecting workload data in 2020, the top 15 players played 50 matches or more.
Consider the case of Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati, who played in 60 games for Barcelona and Spain. Shockingly, she had less than five days of recovery between 57% of her matches. This relentless schedule may have contributed to her recent fibula fracture, sidelining her for at least five months.
And it's not just about the number of matches. The report also highlights the impact of travel. Linda Caicedo, playing for Real Madrid and Colombia, logged a staggering 95,000 kilometers (over 59,000 miles) in 18 trips during the season.
And this is the part most people miss... the flip side of this overwork is underutilization. Some players in top divisions like France and Germany played as few as 13 or 14 matches in a season.
"I was really concerned when I read the overload data, but also underload, it's a reality," says Maitane Lopez, who plays for the Chicago Stars and Spain. "All of these young players that come to the league and they're really young, they're not having enough time to develop. And I think that's also important because all of us, we want to win. The coaches want to win. The club wants us to win. So, if you are not developing and taking care of the players, that will have an impact. And maybe not right now, short term, but long term it is going to be huge."
Culvin emphasizes FIFPRO's ongoing efforts to implement mandated rest periods within the FIFA competition calendar. However, the current women's calendar is already set through 2029.
"Having rest periods within the calendar that are untouchable is really important," Culvin states.
What do you think? Do you believe the current demands on women's soccer players are sustainable? Should FIFA prioritize player well-being by implementing mandatory rest periods, even if it means adjusting the existing calendar? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
