Why is the WSL Appealing to More International Players?

When it replaced the FA Women’s Premier League in 2011, the Women's Super League was a semi-professional league that still required players to rely on their jobs. The original eight founding teams for that 2011/12 season were Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bristol Academy, Chelsea, Doncaster Rovers Belles, Everton, Lincoln Ladies and Liverpool.

Following several developments, the WSL became fully professional by the 2018/19 season. This development led to the changes that have given us the WSL we know today. For example, all players were offered full-time contracts, with the club providing a minimum of sixteen contracted hours per week. 

Has the Number of International Players Increased?

Over the years, it is possible that this level of professionalism has enticed a number of non-English players. FBref data from over the last three seasons shows that there has been a 14% increase in the number of players coming from outside of England. 

During the 2023/24 season, 61% of the 325 players involved were from outside England. The number of international players then continued to increase throughout the next two seasons. For example, in the following 2024/25 season there were 219 non-English players compared to only 126 English players, and in the 2025/26 season the number of non-English players involved with English sides had increased to 227. These statistics imply that the WSL is growing and creating interest worldwide. A possible reason for the influx of international players could be the improved marketing strategies used by the WSL and potentially the fact that England is home to two-time European champions. 

Based on recent campaigns, many Women’s Super League clubs have embraced and welcomed new cultures. For example, players from Scotland, Sweden, Japan, Wales, Australia and the Netherlands have become increasingly represented in the WSL. It is evident that over the last three seasons, 158 players have come from these countries. This data possibly highlights the continents and countries that the WSL is attracting as the majority of the international participants during this time come from Europe and Asia. Between 2023/24 and 2025/26, 36 Asian players have made this league their home.

How Does the WSL Provide International Visibility for Players?

With the rise in the recruitment of global stars, international viewing has become increasingly common. In an attempt to boost the overall media presence of the league, the WSL has partnered with IMG.

 Another way they are making sure that the women’s game gets the wider coverage that is needed is by making sure that any match not picked up by broadcasters is streamed on YouTube. This strategy is clearly working to bring the players international visibility. During the 2024/25 season, 82% of YouTube views came from outside the United Kingdom. This means that the players are gaining support from more than just those fans who are based in England. The exposure matters, as it is part of a larger scale plan in making sure that women's  football is taken as seriously as the men’s.

How Does the WSL Create More Opportunities for Players?

The WSL has created many opportunities for players. For example, the upcoming 2026/2027 season will be the start of a new era, where there will be fourteen participating teams instead of twelve. This update suggests that the organisers are trying to increase the competition between different clubs. By increasing the number of participating clubs, it could open up the number of opportunities for the players. As a result of this, places will open up in squad setups, meaning that players will be more inclined to play at the highest level.

But it isn't just senior teams getting opportunities, the academies are evolving too. During the academy players’ development, sometimes they will be asked to train with the boys. This idea could help the girls to become familiar with different physical demands. This could be integral to their future careers as it prepares them for senior football. This could also help the younger players to develop versatility throughout their game.

What Has Been Invested Into the WSL?

With the substantial growth of the game, it is almost inevitable that the level of investment grows with the times. To make sure that the growth is financially supported, Barclays have committed £45 million throughout the women's football pyramid. This is important, as the extra funds might allow for a better player environment and more marketing opportunities.

A step to building an improved player environment is to begin focusing on where the players prepare for some of their biggest games. The training centres have evolved over time and are so much more than just training pitches, as the players have access to advanced medical care, state-of-the-art gyms and physio rooms. Having these facilities available to them could help to minimise potential injury risks.

However, there are still some issues with the quality of facilities. The majority of women's teams are required to share training grounds with the men’s team academies. This is slowly becoming less of a problem due to clubs like Manchester City making investments into a dedicated space for their women's team. However, not many teams are able to do this, meaning that the women are training in less tailored spaces that may not be optimised for their needs.

Overall, it is clear why non-English players are gravitating towards the WSL. From creating more opportunities for players to making sure they get international visibility, the Women’s Super League is becoming increasingly attractive to international talent. With the facilities and investment starting to improve, the WSL really is the place to be.