Mixed-gender matches are generally not common in professional soccer (football) due to the physical differences between male and female players. In competitive soccer, men's and women's teams have separate leagues and competitions to ensure fair play. However, there have been examples of exhibition and friendly matches between male and female players, and in junior leagues teams are often made up of mixed genders.
The United States Women's National Team (USWNT)
On many occasions, the USWNT, one of the most successful women's national teams in the world, has played against male youth teams or men's college teams. These matches are often part of their preparation for international competitions and serve as a valuable test of skill, speed, and tactics. Other national women's teams also occasionally play against junior mens teams for practice.
Here are some example matches
- 1917, a team of women from the Dick Kerr & Company munitions factory in the northwest English city of Preston beat the Arundel Coulthard Factory team 4-0.
- In a seven-a-side tournament in June 2023, Wrexham AFC defeated the U.S. women's soccer team 12—0. Wrexham took 39 shots in the match to USA's five. The Wrexham squad was composed of former, current and guest players and the US side was mainly made up of retired USWNT players, including World Cup winner Heather O'Reilly, and an uncapped goalkeeper Lindsey Harris.
- In May 2016, Australia's women's football team (ranked fifth in the world) lost 7-0 to a Newcastle Jets under-16s side. The women's team was without their overseas-based players.
Related Pages
- About women's football
- Women v men in fitness — why are men superior?
- Women v men in sports