Anna 
The average salary for a female professional football player worldwide is $10,900 per year, according to FIFA’s latest report on women’s football. This figure is influenced by a small number of top-earning clubs.
FIFA categorized 41 clubs from 16 countries as Tier 1 teams. Among these, the average salary was approximately $24,030. However, 16 of these clubs paid an average salary of more than $50,000. The highest salary recorded in this group was around $120,000.
In lower-tier teams, earnings were significantly lower. Players in Tier 2 clubs earned an average of $4,361, while those in Tier 3 clubs made only $2,805 per year.
“There is a need for players of a certain standard to earn a reliable and sufficient income solely from playing,” the report stated. It emphasized that reducing players’ dependence on secondary income would help them focus on improving their game.
Contract length also varied across tiers. Tier 1 clubs offered the longest contracts, typically lasting one to three years. The highest salaries were found in contracts lasting two to three years. In contrast, Tier 3 teams mostly provided contracts shorter than three months.
“A longer contract enables players to commit to a club and a location, giving them more stability,” the report added.
Attendance Remains a Concern
The report also highlighted low attendance figures. Although Arsenal set a Women’s Super League record by hosting 60,160 fans for a match against Manchester United at Emirates Stadium last year, average attendance in Tier 1 was only 1,713 spectators per game. In Tier 2, it was 480, while Tier 3 teams saw just 380 fans per match.
Some clubs, like Arsenal, played select games in larger stadiums. Arsenal hosted five home league matches at Emirates Stadium while using Meadow Park, a smaller venue with a 1,700-seat capacity, for other games.
“For Tier 1 clubs, attendance at the larger venue was usually double that of the regular stadium, showing that women’s football can attract bigger crowds on occasion,” the report noted.
Gender Imbalance in Coaching
Women remain underrepresented in coaching roles. Only 22% of head coaches across all tiers were female. However, gender equality was slightly better among referees, with 42% being women. The percentage varied across tiers, with 57% of referees being female in Tier 1 leagues, compared to just 25% in Tiers 2 and 3.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the report provides clubs, leagues, and stakeholders with insights into the factors driving success.
“The progress made in recent years has been remarkable, but more work is needed to unlock the full potential of women’s football,” Infantino stated.
The Setting the Pace report surveyed 135 leagues and 1,518 clubs. A total of 677 clubs from 90 leagues responded.
FIFA determined its tier rankings based on several factors. These included whether a league had a club licensing system, how many of its players competed in the 2023 Women’s World Cup, and the national federation’s budget for women’s football.
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