Could a computer game be the game-changer women's football needs to reach new heights? It might sound surprising, but the latest edition of Football Manager, FM26, could be just that. Launched this week, FM26 isn't just another update—it's a groundbreaking step toward elevating the visibility and appreciation of women's football on a global scale. But here's where it gets controversial: can a video game truly influence the real-world growth of a sport? Let’s dive in.
For the first time in its 30-year history, the Football Manager series allows players to step into the shoes of a manager for both men's and women's teams. With a database of over 36,000 female players and 5,000 staff members, spanning 14 playable leagues across 11 nations and three continents, FM26 is more than just a game—it’s a platform for discovery. The previous edition, released in 2024, was played by 19 million people, and now, with the inclusion of women’s football, it’s poised to engage an entirely new audience.
But this is the part most people miss: FM26 isn’t just about gaming. It’s about representation, education, and opportunity. Sports Interactive, the company behind the game, has long shared its extensive data on male players with real-life clubs for scouting purposes. Now, they’re doing the same for female players, thanks to data collection that began in 2021. This could revolutionize how clubs identify and recruit talent in women’s football.
Miles Jacobson, studio director of Sports Interactive, admits it wasn’t easy. “We had to start from scratch on the women’s side,” he said. “Data in women’s football is often incomplete or inaccurate, unlike in men’s football. But we were determined to get it right.” With the help of experts from the women’s game, FM26 ensures authentic representation, from player attributes to league structures. Each player has a unique profile, rated out of 20 for physical stats like pace and agility, skills like passing, and even traits like bravery and composure.
Here’s where it gets even more intriguing: The game addresses the differences between male and female players without perpetuating stereotypes. “We debated for months about how to handle player stats,” Jacobson explained. “While the fastest woman in the world is slightly slower than the fastest man, we didn’t want to penalize female players in the game. So, we compare women with women and men with men for playing attributes.”
Former professional players Mollie and Rosie Kmita, who participated in the game’s motion-capture process, believe FM26 will normalize women’s football and educate gamers. “Growing up, I never imagined playing Football Manager because it wasn’t a space for us,” Mollie said. “Now, it’s exciting to see women’s football integrated so authentically. For someone new to the sport, managing a women’s team will expose them to a wealth of information about players, teams, and leagues.”
But here’s the question: Can a game truly bridge the gap between virtual and reality? Will FM26 inspire more fans, players, and clubs to invest in women’s football? Or is it just a symbolic step in a much larger journey? Let us know what you think in the comments—we’d love to hear your take on whether FM26 can be a game-changer for women’s football.
