The Women’s Game in Germany: Progress, but No Room for Complacency

The recent numbers on women’s football in Germany are undeniably heartening. Investment has risen by 135% over six years, and the number of girls playing the game has increased by a respectable 30% since 2022. Celia Sasic, the DFB’s diversity and inclusion chief, credits this growth to deliberate efforts at creating separate structures for women’s football.

However, beneath these statistics lies a stark reality: despite all this progress, women’s football remains woefully underfunded compared to its male counterpart. The Bundesliga clubs’ €1.72 billion outlay on men’s players and coaching staff dwarfs the Women’s Bundesliga teams’ personnel expenses of just under €30 million.

This disparity is not merely a reflection of societal attitudes toward women in sports; it also stems from systemic issues within German football itself. Across Europe, women’s football struggles to gain traction as a financially viable proposition. The average base salary for a Women’s Bundesliga player stands at around €48,000 per year – a sum that pales in comparison to the astronomical figures earned by top men’s players.

Sasic notes that investing in women’s football ultimately makes the game better. This is not just true for the players themselves but also for the broader sport. Growing investment brings greater visibility, more opportunities for young girls to develop their skills, and a stronger, more inclusive community.

However, Sasic’s optimism is tempered by the knowledge that women’s football still faces significant structural barriers. The new DFB rule requiring full-time coaching staff in Women’s Bundesliga teams represents a welcome step forward but also highlights just how far behind the men’s game these structures remain. This disparity extends to areas like youth development, where support systems for young girls are woefully inadequate.

The 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil presents a crucial opportunity for Germany to make a statement on the global stage – and for Sasic to continue pushing her case for greater equality within German football. As she sees it, this tournament is not merely about winning; it’s also about creating opportunities for young girls back home, where investment in women’s football has only just begun to take root.

The statistics tell a compelling story of progress, but they also underscore the need for sustained effort and investment. In an era of growing awareness around issues like equal pay and representation, German football must be willing to confront its own shortcomings – rather than merely celebrating the growth of the women’s game as a curiosity. By doing so, it can create a more inclusive, more supportive environment where young girls can thrive, both on and off the pitch.

As Germany prepares for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, Sasic’s determination to push for greater equality is clear. To truly break through, however, women’s football will need more than just growing investment – it will require a fundamental shift in how German football approaches its female players and their development.