Women's football: Passion versus profit

The Women’s Football World Cup 2023 is near. It follows on the heels of the Euros ’22 when the Lionesses ‘brought it home’ - the excitement and record-breaking crowd numbers showed there was a huge demand for women’s soccer. In Europe, the women’s game is growing five times faster than the men’s. But have opportunities for women players changed worldwide? We hear from young women around the globe who are passionate about football. Huge progress is being made, that is undeniable, though for some it is too slow.

In 2015, ahead of the Women’s World Cup in Canada, Yvonne Macken produced a programme exploring the successful heritage of the women’s game from the 18th Century, the FA ban in the '20s and the lack of investment. However, the strongest voices were from women around the world who loved football and wanted to make it their career. Initiatives were being explored and developed to grow the game further.

Presenter: Katee Hui MBE and Yvonne Macken

(Photo: Malia Steinmetz of New Zealand. Credit: Daniela Porcelli/photosport.nz)