Post by : Rameen Ariff

Women’s soccer is currently facing a growing challenge that threatens the health and development of players across the globe. According to a new FIFPRO report on women’s player workload monitoring, elite players are struggling with overloaded schedules while others are underexposed to competitive matches, creating injury risks at both ends of the spectrum.

Top players in women’s soccer are now juggling an increasing number of matches for their clubs and national teams, often with insufficient recovery time between games. This surge in workload, driven by rising interest in women’s football and expanded competitions, is pushing elite athletes to physical and mental limits. FIFPRO’s director of women’s football, Alex Culvin, highlighted that high-profile players are carefully watched because they attract audiences, yet these stars are still not provided with the same support systems that men enjoy, such as charter flights, dedicated nutritionists, physiotherapists, and advanced training facilities.

At the same time, the report points to a troubling “underload” issue, where players in domestic leagues with fewer fixtures face a heightened risk of injury. Research shows that playing less than 25 matches a season can leave athletes more vulnerable to certain injuries due to lack of match fitness and conditioning. Maitane Lopez, Spain international and Chicago Stars player, emphasized that young players without adequate competition time struggle to develop fully, widening the gap between top-tier and lower-tier athletes.

FIFPRO’s analysis revealed stark disparities even within elite European leagues. In Germany and France, top-division players average only 14 matches across all competitions, roughly one-and-a-half games per month. England’s Women’s Super League also shows a similar divide, where a first-team player at Arsenal can accumulate 13 more full matches of playing time than a second-tier Crystal Palace counterpart. This imbalance results in missed opportunities for national team selection and hampers the overall development of players.

The overload issue was exemplified by Spain’s Aitana Bonmati, a Barcelona midfielder and recent Ballon d’Or winner, who played 60 matches last season across domestic, European, and international competitions. Her extraordinary schedule contributed to a domestic league and cup double for Barcelona, a Champions League runner-up finish, and a run to the Euros final with Spain. However, this intense workload took a toll, and she now faces around five months of recovery after surgery for a fractured left fibula sustained during national team training.

Experts stress that while women’s soccer is growing rapidly, the infrastructure and support systems are not keeping pace. The combination of elite overload and underload in lower leagues not only increases injury risk but also threatens the long-term development of talent. Lopez noted that mental health is equally important, and burnout among women footballers is a growing concern, highlighting the urgent need for better facilities, recovery protocols, and investment in player welfare.

With women’s soccer gaining unprecedented global attention, addressing workload disparities is crucial to ensure that players can perform at their best while minimizing risks, promoting longevity in careers, and fostering the next generation of talent. Ensuring balance in match schedules and investing in comprehensive player support systems are now top priorities for the growth of women’s football worldwide.

#Sports news