Belgian players celebrating the goal of Mariam Toloba (13) of Belgiuml (1-0) during a soccer game between the national teams of Belgium, called the Red Flames and Ukraine in the second leg of on the second play-off of the 2023-24 UEFA Women’s European Qualifiers competition, on Tuesday 03 December 2024 in Leuven, Belgium. PHOTO SPORTPIX | SEVIL OKTEM
The progress is dazzling. The number of female Football players in Belgium increased from 40,000 in 2019 to 80,000 in 2024. We owe this success to the strategic plan “The World At Our Feet” of the Royal Belgian Union of Football Association Companies (URBSFA) for the development of women’s football. To achieve this ambitious objective, an additional budget of three million euros was mobilized thanks to the support of sponsors and the URBSFA’s own funds.
This plan was based on four essential pillars. The first involved grassroots development, increasing the number of female players through initiatives such as inter-school competitions and the creation of female teams for U7s, U9s and U11s. The second pillar aimed to improve the elite, propelling the Red Flames into the European top 8, while they currently occupy 11th place. The third objective was to increase the commercial visibility of women’s football to attract more investment and ensure its sustainable development. Finally, the last pillar sought to promote the active participation of women in all spheres of football, whether on the pitch or in governing bodies.
The Belgian Football Center in Tubize played a central role in this strategy. It regularly welcomed the country’s best players for training courses and moments of exchange, thus allowing Belgian talents to progress and inspire each other. At the same time, Red Flames matches were broadcast on television to reach a wider audience and increase the visibility of Belgian women’s football.
A Belgian championship in full transformation
Photo: the women’s section of the RAAL de la Louvière
The Super League, which constitutes the elite of women’s football in Belgium, is going through structural difficulties. Despite efforts to professionalize the championship, several teams are struggling to follow the new requirements imposed by the Pro League. After Woluwe and Malines, Sporting de Charleroi announced its withdrawal for financial and organizational reasons, leaving the players in a precarious situation.
On the other hand, some clubs, such as La Louvière, are investing in the development of young players with the ambition of reaching the Super League in the medium term. However, to ensure the competitiveness of the championship, suitable infrastructure, increased financial support and a more engaged public remain necessary.
Among our opponents: Spain, Italy, Portugal
Photo: The Spanish national team, women’s football world champions in 2023
The Spanish, world champions in 2023, today dominate women’s football thanks to structured and ambitious development. Liga F, a professional championship, is recognized for its competitiveness and attracts the best international players. The federation has also invested massively in the training of young players, which today allows the national team to be one of the most successful in the world.
In Italy, notable progress has been made with the professionalization of the women’s Serie A since 2022. Historic clubs such as Juventus, AS Roma and AC Milan have strengthened their women’s sections, improving both infrastructure and the conditions of the players. The Italian championship remains an important breeding ground for the national team, which is increasingly asserting itself on the European scene.
Portugal, for its part, is gradually catching up. The Liga BPI, supported by the federation, has seen an increase in quality with investments in women’s clubs. Benfica Lisbon, in particular, dominates the championship and regularly plays in the Champions League. The country is banking on a strategy for training young talents and seeing its efforts rewarded by a more competitive national team.
Progress also off the field
photo: French player Amel Majri
Women’s football is not limited to sporting performances: it also contributes to gender equality and the emancipation of women. A notable example occurred during the last 2023 Women’s World Cup: French player Amel Majri was able to take her baby with her during the competition. Thanks to a system put in place by the French Football Federation, she benefited from complete logistical support to reconcile her professional career and her role as a mother.
This initiative demonstrates that progress is possible to promote the balance between personal life and sporting career, an essential step to support female players and encourage more women to get involved in football.
Women’s football continues to evolve, on and off the field, in Belgium and among its European opponents. To keep pace, the challenges remain numerous, but each advance represents a further step towards greater recognition and professionalization of women’s sport.
