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World soccer players’ union Fifpro has urged governing body FIFA to improve conditions for all players in qualifiers for the next Women’s World Cup after a report highlighted multiple inconsistencies in the scheduling, duration and format during this year’s qualification phase.
On Tuesday, Fifpro published research about the qualifying phase of this year’s Women’s World Cup, highlighting the different pathways and conditions for players.
The report showed that only European soccer’s governing body, UEFA
Fifpro also conducted the first global survey of players about the Women’s World Cup qualifying, where 362 players completed an anonymous digital survey.
The survey showed 54% were not provided with a pre-tournament medical, 66% said recovery facilities were not of an elite standard or did not exist and 70% were not provided with a pre-tournament ECG heart check-up. It added that 59% flew economy class, including for flights over long distances.
“Any step that is below 100% in terms of access to important medical checks is completely unacceptable,” said Sarah Gregorius, the director of global policy and strategic relations for women’s football at Fifpro.
Almost one-third of players – 29% – did not receive any compensation for participating in World Cup qualifying, and 66% had to take unpaid leave or vacation from another job to play for their national team.
It also said that 32% said pitches and stadiums were not of an elite standard and 39% did not have access to mental health support.
The scheduling of games was also a problem, with 33% saying there was insufficient recovery time between games.
"For the FIFA Women’s World Cup to be a truly elite global event, the qualifying must also be of an elite standard,” said Fifpro president David Aganzo.
“We remain tremendously enthusiastic about the potential of the women’s game, but it is vital to provide players in every part of the world with conditions and opportunities that provide the best platform for them on the world stage, so that they and the game flourish everywhere."
Fifpro has called for all confederations to implement, under FIFA’s guidance, a single universal qualifying standard and structure to ensure a fairer and safer route to elite international competitions.
FIFPRO general secretary Jonas Baer-Hoffmann said the players’ union is ready to work with FIFA and confederations to improve conditions for World Cup qualification and address the current inequities and fragmentation.
This year’s World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand from July 20 to August 20 and will be the first edition to feature 32 teams.