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If you thought that sounded unfair and unjust while you were reading it, you are not wrong. And it starts at the top.

When FIFA as the international federation, (which is the organization that oversees the sport) sets the example of inequalities, it is hard for national federations not to follow suit. It is true that the discussion around equal pay, promoted especially by the United States Women’s National Team after winning the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup, has resulted in many national federations agreeing to provide similar conditions for both the female and male teams representing their nations.

But, as we have seen in Canada (one of the nations that celebrated an agreement of equal compensations, by the way), that is not always put in practice.

Unfortunately, unlike the Men’s Team, more often than not, Women’s football is not treated in an equally professional way:

• Women players are not paid enough to make football their full-time jobs,

• They face less than ideal playing and training conditions that can lead to injuries.

• Health is a factor that is often overlooked as many players do not have access to health insurance, doctors, and physiotherapists and there is little understanding of how menstrual cycles can affect athletic performance.

Right now, there aren’t any rules or standards that define what should be the minimum acceptable working conditions for women’s football. So, the development of the game happens in an uneven manner: some countries are investing more and making long term plans to improve conditions, access, inclusion and development, where others are still stuck discussing what a professional athlete deserves.

In most cases, women athletes are asking for pretty normal things. For example, they are asking for enough pay so they don’t have to work extra side jobs and can rest when they need. On top of that, some are juggling university, and some are also moms. In football, most men on the national team are paid a wage where they get to just focus on their sport. They do not need side jobs, and in their downtime, they get extra rest which means they can train hard and will be more recovered for games.

The women would like the same treatment so they too can focus 100% on their sport and reach their true potential.