New Strategy in Women’s Football
UEFA has announced its six-year strategic plan aimed at creating a sustainable system in women’s football under the title “Unstoppable.” According to the new women’s football strategy published on UEFA’s website, the goal is to elevate women’s football to unprecedented levels by 2030 through four long-term objectives and eight strategic priorities.
UEFA will commit 1 billion euros in competitive revenue and investments in women’s football initiatives between 2024 and 2030. Following the launch of a new competitive system and format for national teams, the updated UEFA Women’s Championship and the UEFA Women’s Champions League will be introduced, along with a second major club-based cup competition starting next season.
As part of this new strategy, UEFA aims to promote football at the grassroots level by creating new opportunities for players, coaches, and referees, ensuring that football becomes the most played team sport in every European country. Currently, there are six fully professional leagues in women’s football, with around 5,000 female athletes playing licensed football across the continent. UEFA aims to significantly increase the number of professional leagues and athletes through this plan.
Ceferin: Unstoppable is Our Roadmap to Unleash the Potential of Women’s Football
UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin stated, “We have launched ‘Unstoppable,’ a new six-year strategy aimed at making football the most played team sport for women and girls in every European country. ‘Unstoppable’ is our roadmap for laying the foundations for a sustainable future and unlocking the full potential of women’s football. Our mission is simple: to help women’s football secure a significant place in the European sports community.”
Kessler: We Will Advance Even Further with Investments
Nadine Kessler, UEFA’s General Director of Women’s Football, highlighted that women’s football has grown every year in Europe, stating, “Women’s football has never been in a better position in Europe. We have a commitment to continue investing as part of our journey with all European national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans, and partners to collectively advance the game because women’s football is ‘Unstoppable.’”
TFF Supports the Initiative
According to a statement from the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), which announced its own strategy last year under the slogan “Now is the Time for Women’s Football,” it supports this project within overlapping goals and plans. The TFF Women’s Football Directorate is working on launching the Women’s Turkey Cup for the first time this season and aims to transition to professionalism in women’s football leagues starting from the 2026-27 season.
Ural Akuzum, TFF Board Member responsible for Amateur Football and Women’s Football, noted that “young girls are being recruited for our women’s national teams in lower age categories through regional selections. Efforts are ongoing to establish the Super League Clubs Foundation. Intensive work is being done to ensure the Turkcell Women’s Football Super League becomes professional. We are making strides to popularize women’s football in our country. In light of these encouraging developments, we find UEFA’s new women’s football strategy ‘Unstoppable’ very significant and fully support it.”
