The eighth Women’s World Cup comes at a pivotal time for the women’s game. For years, players around the world have demanded better pay and more support from their federations. In some countries, serious progress has been made; in many others, the fight continues.
We wanted to know what it’s like to be an elite women’s soccer player in this moment.
To get inside that bubble, The New York Times sent a survey to every national team participating in this year’s World Cup and heard back from more than 100 players from 17 of the 24 countries competing in France.
And through a partnership with Goal Click, we gave dozens of players disposable cameras and asked them to capture their lives as they see them. Through their photographs and answers to our questions, the players took us places fans and the news media rarely go.
Here are their stories, in their own words and images.
What does your family think of your job as a professional soccer player?
‘They think that it is still a complicated dream for a girl to have, and that it is still important to have good knowledge and skills, to have more than one string to your bow.’
Emelyne Laurent, 20, France forward
‘Proud, but unsure if it is economically viable.’
Ali Riley, 31, New Zealand defender
‘That it doesn’t last a lifetime.’
Mariana Larroquette, 26, Argentina forward
‘My family is happy. But we’re still not professional in Italy.’
Sara Gama, 30, Italy defender
‘I think they think I’ll do a couple of years but ultimately leave early due to monetary reasons.’
Miranda Nild (Suchawadee Nildhamrong), 22, Thailand forward
‘Initially they were against it, saying, “Girls playing soccer?” ... But they are very happy now that I am a member of the Korean national team and that I am doing well on the best team.’
Lee Sodam, 25, South Korea midfielder
‘My mum especially hated my job — because I’m a woman I shouldn’t be playing soccer, rather be in an office working or married by now.’
Francisca Ordega, 25, Nigeria forward
‘They support me, because they know nothing else brings me joy than playing soccer. And my income supports my family.’
Thembi Kgatlana, 23, South Africa forward
‘They love that I get to do what I love.’
Kelley O’Hara, 30, United States defender
What’s the biggest sacrifice you’ve made to play soccer?
Did you ever have to play on boys’ teams, or against boys, growing up?
‘I played with boys from the beginning (age of 4) till 16. Also in my age now, I play against boys and men in the preseason of my club.’
Johanna Elsig, 26, Germany defender
‘I started playing on the boys’ team in grade school because I didn’t know there were any girls’ teams around me.’
Moon Mira, 27, South Korea midfielder
‘I have played on boys teams until the age of 18, by choice.’
Loes Geurts, 33, Netherlands goalkeeper
‘Used to play on boys’ teams up until 15 years old. I still have practice games against boys’ teams.’
Saki Kumagai, 28, Japan defender
‘Yes, every day.’
Natalia Campos, 27, Chile goalkeeper
‘Yes. Against boys growing up.’
Tamires, 31, Brazil defender
How many jobs do you have in addition to playing soccer?
‘Being that I just graduated from college, I have never had another job besides helping my parents at their restaurant, while completing soccer and school.’
Miranda Nild (Suchawadee Nildhamrong), 22, Thailand midfielder
‘I have a small business where I can do lectures, coach and so on, to add some income.’
Hedvig Lindahl, 36, Sweden goalkeeper
‘Only soccer.’
Saki Kumagai, 28, Japan defender
‘Today I am a professional soccer player, but not that long ago I was studying to get a caseworker diploma, which I did.’
Julie Debever, 30, France defender
‘At the moment, I’m out of work.’
Virginia Gómez, 28, Argentina defender
‘Aside from studying, two.’
Daniela Pardo, 31, Chile midfielder
About how much money did you make playing soccer this year?
‘Not much. I don’t get a salary, only travel expenses for the national team on FIFA dates.’
Natalia Campos, 27, Chile goalkeeper
‘So little that I can’t make the end of the month.’
María Belén Potassa, 30, Argentina forward
‘A few hundred thousand. Between $300,000 and $400,000.’
Ashlyn Harris, 33, United States goalkeeper
‘Cool amount of money that could take care of me.’
Rasheedat Ajibade, 19, Nigeria midfielder
‘I was in university on a soccer scholarship, so all the money I received on scholarship was put towards my education.’
Chanel Hudson-Marks, 21, Jamaica defender
‘I’m sorry, I don’t talk about that.’
Valérie Gauvin, 22, France forward
Below are approximate earnings figures provided by individual players and converted to United States dollars.
What’s the hardest / best part of being a female soccer player?
What’s the hardest part of being a female soccer player?
‘Financially it doesn’t make sense.’
Ashleigh Shim, 25, Jamaica forward
‘Female soccer players get less attention, we hardly get the same treatment they give to male soccer players. We work very hard but hardly get recognized.’
Chinaza Uchendu, 21, Nigeria midfielder
‘Trying to figure out how and when to take a break and start a family. Thinking if I can come back from having a baby.’
Sashana Campbell, 28, Jamaica midfielder
‘Discrimination in every area, no support, no equal pay, no good soccer fields. ... We claim respect.’
Kathellen, 23, Brazil defender
‘Playing with your monthly cycle.’
Rasheedat Ajibade, 19, Nigeria midfielder
‘Being an amateur.’
María Belén Potassa, 30, Argentina forward
‘I think one of the hardest things is being the elite athlete that you are, with very little to no support in your surroundings physically, socially, culturally or financially. I think that women footballers are the only ones who support other women footballers throughout the world.’
Miranda Nild (Suchawadee Nildhamrong), 22, Thailand forward
What’s the best part of being a female soccer player?
‘Enjoying the purity and fairness of the game. Female players live for the game, not for the money. That motivation makes the game more pure and fun.’
Loes Geurts, 33, Netherlands goalkeeper
‘We get to meet new friends daily. And I’m always happy with the ball on my feet.’
Lebohang Ramalepe, 27, South Africa defender
‘Wearing the badge of your country.’
Daniela Pardo, 31, Chile defender
‘To score a goal! No, to play a game in a full stadium. Ten years ago in France, the games weren’t on TV. There was limited enthusiasm. Social media has helped, too.’
Viviane Asseyi, 25, France forward
‘The best part about being a female playing soccer is proving people wrong. In all aspects of our society it has become habit or trend to underestimate women. That being said, it feels amazing to silence the nonbelievers.’
Chanel Hudson-Marks, 21, Jamaica defender
What’s one thing you always do before a game?
‘I always go see what the field is like.’
Eugenie Le Sommer, 30, France forward
‘Bow before entering a field.’
Saki Kumagai, 28, Japan defender
‘Watch Karina LeBlanc and Hope Solo’s highlight tapes and listen to dancehall and hip-hop.’
Yazmeen Jamieson, 21, Jamaica goalkeeper
‘Eat rice noodles and drink Vita 500.’
Moon Mira, 27, South Korea midfielder
‘I always eat spaghetti/pasta before every game and the evening before.’
Kathrin Hendrich, 27, Germany defender
‘I touch the posts and the crossbar and look at the sky.’
Laura Giuliani, 26, Italy goalkeeper
‘Pray and dance.’
Faith Michael, 32, Nigeria defender
‘I listen to romantic music.’
Javiera Grez, 18, Chile forward
‘I listen to a 30-minute playlist of reggae music from the ’90s.’
Nicole McClure, 29, Jamaica goalkeeper
Which player do you hope to play against this World Cup? Why?
‘Sam Kerr of Australia. She’s arguably the best striker in the world right now and it would be an honor to save her shots.’
Kaylin Christen Swart, 24, South Africa goalkeeper
‘Marta and Sam Kerr.’
Sashana Campbell, 28, Jamaica midfielder
‘Sam Kerr because she is always a challenge for me and I love challenge.’
Monica, 32, Brazil defender
‘Marta, because she is really good and she is an icon.’
Emelyne Laurent, 20, France forward
‘Alex Morgan. The opportunity to test myself against one of the best forwards in the game? Big yes.’
Meikayla Moore, 22, New Zealand defender
‘Marta. She inspires me a lot and I’ve never played against her before.’
Asisat Oshoala, 24, Nigeria forward
‘Alex Morgan, to be the best you got to play the best.’
Tiffany Darunee Sornpao, 20, Thailand goalkeeper