Soccer has been the world’s most popular sport throughout human history. From kids to seniors, people around the globe love watching the game. Many boys dream of becoming soccer players, idolizing stars and wearing their jerseys. The 2022 Women’s Euro Final between England and Germany, where England emerged victorious, was watched live by 87,192 people at the stadium, setting a record for European finals. This record showcases the growth of women’s soccer. But how did women’s soccer reach this level?
Contrary to popular belief, women’s soccer has a long history, dating back to 1895. According to records (Gale Primary Sources), the first women’s soccer match in England took place in 1895 between the North and South. The seeds of the famous Dick, Kerr Ladies team were planted in 1894. However, the turning point for women’s soccer was World War I. As men who could play soccer were sent to the front, women filled the gap. Female factory workers organized soccer games to raise money for charity.
The early steps in women’s soccer were taken by the pioneering women of the Kerr Ladies team in the early 20th century. This team played against many men’s teams in charity matches, capturing the attention of English crowds with their skills. The success and enthusiasm of these events worried the English Football Association (FA), leading to a series of decisions stating that “football was unsuitable for women and should not be encouraged,” and banning affiliated clubs from allowing women to use their fields.
After a long period of stagnation, women’s soccer began to bloom again in the early 1960s, especially in Scandinavian countries like Norway and Sweden, as well as Germany. In 1969, the Women’s Football Association was founded in England, and the FA lifted its bans in 1971. Since then, women’s soccer has seen unstoppable growth, spreading to stadiums across Europe and the world. Since 2012, the number of women’s academies has doubled, leading nations have established women’s teams, and today, there are around 40 million women playing soccer globally.
Today, women have the same leagues, international tournaments, and awards as men. However, debates continue, particularly about the significant pay gap between men’s and women’s soccer. So, what are the differences between men’s and women’s soccer, and why is there such a huge pay disparity?
Differences Between Women's and Men's Soccer
Women’s soccer is gaining fans worldwide, proving that women can play at the highest level. But there are some fundamental differences between men’s and women’s soccer, including competitiveness, physiological differences, overall play styles, training, marketing, and, most notably, financial disparities.
On-Field Differences
According to many sports analysts, women’s soccer games involve less physical contact and are smoother, resulting in the ball staying in play longer and fewer interruptions. Women also suffer fewer fouls, and those fouled tend to get up quickly without faking injuries, showing a more honest approach to the game. Swearing, pushing, and fake injuries are rare.
Physiological Differences
Unlike many sports, soccer doesn’t show gender-based differences in general play. The rules, field dimensions, and many other aspects are the same in both men’s and women’s soccer. However, these same rules create some differences. Women’s games tend to be slower than men’s due to physiological factors like smaller lung capacity and lower oxygen intake. Both men’s and women’s matches last 90 minutes, but women are likely to get more tired, affecting the pace of play. Studies have shown that men activate different muscle groups and hips during play compared to women. Men’s soccer emphasizes speed and power, while women’s soccer highlights technique and finesse.
Another difference is that women are generally smaller than men. This means that on the same-sized field, women have more space to cover, making defense more challenging and often resulting in higher-scoring games. This also affects the level of competition, with big teams dominating more in women’s soccer. For example, the U.S. beat Thailand 13-0 in the 2019 Women’s World Cup, a score rarely seen in men’s soccer.
Training Differences
While essentially a physiological difference, this point focuses on strength. Men and women have different physiologies, reflected in their training programs. Men are generally stronger physically, so their training includes more strength and endurance work. Women’s training, while also incorporating strength work, focuses more on technique.
In men’s soccer, players must attend training unless injured or for special reasons. In women’s soccer, menstrual cycles are considered, with special individual training for player safety and health.
Apart from these, men’s and women’s soccer training shows similar trends, using the same equipment and conditions. However, training methods, performance tracking, coaching, competition, and global coverage are still superior in men’s soccer.
Financial Differences
Now, let’s get to the biggest debate: pay differences. Women’s soccer reached a historic night in England. In the 2022 Women’s Euro Final, England beat Germany 2-1 in extra time to become European champions. Nearly 90,000 people watched the game at Wembley Stadium, with over 10 million tuning in on TV. These numbers, the highest for any European final, show how mainstream women’s soccer has become. England’s women’s team players receive the same pay as their male counterparts for national team duties. However, after the tournament, interest in women’s soccer in local leagues tends to decline. For a detailed look, let’s compare the general salaries of England’s national team players.
Although women’s soccer is progressing in the right direction, there is still a huge pay gap between men and women. Some players in the England Women’s National Team earn around €20,000 annually. In the competitive English WSL, average salaries are around €30,000 per year. Before retiring, American star Carli Lloyd earned around €432,000 annually, and the highest-paid current player, Chelsea’s Sam Kerr, makes over €400,000 a year. These figures are low compared to men’s soccer, where even below-average players earn over €1 million annually. Gareth Bale earned €600,000 a week at Real Madrid, and the highest-paid player, Kylian Mbappe, makes over €90 million a year. The gap is staggering.
Objectively, more investments are made in men’s soccer, which attracts more viewers, sponsors, and advertisements. Broadcast rights, sponsorship, advertising, ticket sales, and merchandise revenue are much higher for men. However, with the continued growth and increasing interest in women’s soccer, this gap could close. Sponsors like Nike, Visa, and Barclays have joined women’s soccer, and female players appreciate and respond well to these sponsors. With federations offering more opportunities and support, the gap may close, but it remains significant. Let’s look at some specific inequalities.
FIFA announced a $400 million prize pool for the men’s World Cup, compared to $30 million for the women’s. To put it in perspective, the revenue from the English Premier League alone exceeds that of all women’s soccer.
Many female soccer players play to supplement their income or have additional jobs, while male players can secure their future with their earnings.
The French men’s team received €29 million for winning the 2018 World Cup, while the U.S. women’s team received €3 million for winning in 2019.
The U.S. men’s team earned a $5 million bonus for reaching the last 16 in the 2014 World Cup, whereas the women’s team received $2 million for winning in 2015.
Responses to Pay Inequality in Women’s Soccer
Like in many sports, women in soccer earn less than men. World Cup winner Hope Solo criticized the prize gap as “evidence of entrenched male chauvinism.”
The U.S. women’s national team filed a lawsuit against their federation for “gender discrimination and unequal pay.”
Star player Megan Rapinoe has long campaigned against the lack of investment in women’s soccer.
Australian women soccer players have called on FIFA to close the gender pay gap.
Nigeria’s women’s team staged a sit-in at their hotel after winning the 2016 Africa Cup due to unpaid bonuses.
Norway equalized pay for men’s and women’s teams in 2017.
New Zealand signed an agreement in 2018 to ensure equal pay and bonuses for men’s and women’s teams.
The Netherlands aimed to eliminate the pay gap in soccer by 2021-2023.
Comments on Women’s Soccer
During a Chelsea-Tottenham match this season, managers Tuchel and Conte clashed. Sky Sports pundit Graeme Souness remarked, “This is football. It’s a man’s game,” while sitting next to former England women’s player Karen Carney, who rolled her eyes. The comment sparked social media debate, with many women players condemning it.
On Jamie Carragher’s podcast, England women’s captain Steph Houghton admitted she prefers watching men’s soccer, which drew criticism for betraying women’s soccer’s growth.
Comedian Bill Burr, in his standup “Live at Red Rocks,” mocked complaints about pay gaps in women’s sports, stating, “Because you’re not selling tickets and no one’s going to women’s games.” Burr argued that if women supported their sports with the same passion as men, there would be no pay gap.
There’s much to be done by men, governments, and federations for women, and women also need to support each other. What do you think about this?
