FIFA Funds ACL Research in Women's Football Amid New Challenges
Led by London’s Kingston University.
Women’s football is finally getting the recognition it deserves — and not a moment too soon. When we spoke to FC Barcelona’s Fridolina Rolfö, she highlighted how far the game has come, but also pointed out the frustrating inconsistency in conditions: “One day you’re in a world-class stadium, the next you’re worried about injuries on a poor pitch.” So, it feels fitting that FIFA is now funding research into ACL injuries in women’s football — a much-needed step toward understanding and addressing a problem that’s been sidelining too many top players.
Starting next month, researchers at London‘s Kingston University will launch a year-long investigation into the possible link. Female footballers are known to be significantly more prone to ACL injuries — anywhere from two to six times more likely than men, according to existing data provided by BBC Sport.
Simon Augustus, a senior lecturer in sport biomechanics at Kingston, is leading the research and explained to BBC Sport that the goal is to understand how natural hormonal changes throughout the menstrual cycle might influence injury risk. “We already know hormone levels rise and fall at different points in the cycle,” Augustus shared. “What we don’t yet know is how those changes might affect things like ligament strength or muscle response — and whether that could make athletes more vulnerable to injury at certain times.”
It’s a troubling statistic that’s hit even the top tier of the sport, with big names in football like Arsenal‘s forward, Beth Mead, its defender Leah Williamson and Chelsea‘s forward, Sam Kerr, all sidelined by the injury in recent years.
Despite steps forward in growing visibility, women’s football is still navigating serious setbacks. The recent decision by the U.K.’s Football Association to ban trans women from playing, starting June 1, has sparked concern and debate. It’s a stark reminder that progress isn’t always linear, and the fight for inclusion and fairness in sport is far from over.
On a related note, WNBA player Georgia Moore has also suffered an ACL tear — read more about it in our latest sports coverage.
