Women's soccer falls short in medical support and pay, World Cup survey shows

Women's soccer is falling short in key areas including medical support and pay, according to a survey of players involved in this year's Women's World Cup.

The survey, conducted by players' union FIFPRO and released Wednesday, found that 60 per cent of respondents said they lacked mental health support, while one in three earned less than $30,000 US a year from soccer.

"The players gave everything they had to put on a brilliant World Cup, but there are still important gaps that need addressing," FIFPRO director of policy and strategic relations for women's football Sarah Gregorius said. "We will be seeking to work through these issues with stakeholders and resolve them as soon as possible."

The World Cup was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July and August. It boasted record attendances and viewing figures, with Spain being crowned champion after beating England in the final.

That match was overshadowed when then-Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips without her consent during the awards ceremony, leading to a players' rebellion and accusations of sexual assault.

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The survey highlighted further areas of concern relating to the conditions players were expected to operate under.

FIFPRO said it surveyed 260 players from 26 of the 32 national teams in the tournament.

It said 10 per cent did not undergo a medical examination before the tournament. In what the union described as a "worrying statistic," it said 22 per cent did not have an electrocardiogram.

FIFPRO said two-thirds of players claimed they were not in peak condition by the time the tournament started and 53 per cent believed they'd had insufficient rest before their