UEFA has launched a new strategy for women’s football, “Unstoppable,” to raise the profile of women’s football. The ambition is for it to become the most played team sport among women and girls in every European country and to increase the number of fully professional leagues.
The “Unstoppable” campaign, developed in collaboration with football stakeholders across Europe, sets strategic priorities for UEFA to ensure a sustainable future for the next generation of players, coaches, referees, volunteers, and supporters.
The document sets out UEFA’s vision for the game and the desire to build on the success of the previous plan presented in 2019, “Time for Action“.
The strategy sets four long-term objectives until 2030:
- To make football the most played team sport for women and girls in every European country, developing pathways for female players, coaches, and referees with opportunities at the grassroots level.
- To make Europe the home of the world’s best female players, with six thoroughly professional leagues and 5,000 thoroughly professional players across the continent.
- To make football the most sustainable and profitable women’s sport, with record-breaking UEFA competitions.
- To ensure that women’s football is celebrated for its unique values and community, where everyone believes they can have their place.
Over the period from 2024 to 2030, €1 billion of competition revenue and UEFA investment will be dedicated to the game through senior and youth competitions, club competitions, distributions to clubs and national associations, and development activities.
Unstoppable’ is our roadmap for laying the foundations for a sustainable future, unleashing the full potential of women’s football. As we enter this exciting new era, we must continue with the same passion that brought us here. Our dedication to the cause remains strong. Our mission is simple – to help women’s football gain a prominent place in the European sports community – said UEFA President, Aleksander Ceferin
European women’s football has never been in a better position. National teams and clubs are achieving extraordinary results thanks to huge investments, improved competition structures and thousands of new professional opportunities. Women’s football in Europe has become a mass sport, attracting an increasingly numerous and diverse audience, as well as partners who sincerely join its growth. It is our promise to continue to invest and collectively take the game forward, with all European national associations, leagues, clubs, players, fans and partners as part of our journey because women’s football is unstoppable – said Nadine Kessler, UEFA Women’s Football Manager
Croatian national team members also supported the campaign.
The progress over the last few years in women’s football is something I’m really proud of and fills me with passion for women’s football. It motivates me to give more and live more for the next generation coming up. What makes me unstoppable is the feeling of my roots and pride, because every time I’m in trouble or when I think about where I come from, what I represent and who I play for, it gives me the strength to continue the fight and be unstoppable – said the captain Croatian women’s national team, Doris Bačić
What makes me unstoppable is my mental strength, that everything I do, I do it one hundred percent. The challenges, which are in front of me every day, make me push the limits. What makes me passionate about women’s football is emotion. These emotions give me motivation to play football and do my best. That’s why I think it’s a beautiful game – said national team member Ana Jelenčić
The “Unstoppable” is supported by some of Europe’s most recognizable players and referees who share UEFA’s ambitions and vision for the future of women’s football, including Jill Scott (Women’s Euro winner), Aitana Bonmatí (Ballon d’Or winner 2023 and 2024), Ada Hegerberg ( the UWCL’s all-time top scorer), Lauren James (Chelsea and England star), Giulia Gwinn (Bayern star and Germany) and Tess Olofsson (Sweden), which appeared in the video campaign.
