Looking Beyond the Match: Masculinity, Football and Violence
08 July 2026
The World Cup brings us all in for the celebrations and the love of the game, the players, and the sport itself. While the love of the game brings us together, football can also lead to conflict, division, harm, and violence.
It is hard to deny the gender inequality within football, with women’s football not gaining nearly as much pay, power or visibility and with women and girls still facing barriers to play the game. The UN reports that girls below the age of 14 drop of out of playing sports ‘at twice the rate as boys’, due to gender stereotypes, lack of safety and support, and the lack of visibility in women in sports.
The relationship between football and gender equality goes beyond the pitch, with the impact of a game being felt at home for millions of women globally. According to the report below by Channel 4 news, police reported 351 domestic abuse football related incidents during the 2024 Euros, in comparison to 193 incidents at the 2021 Euros. With this figure rising, more must be done. The domestic violence survivor interviewed in this report noted the impact matches still have on her today, unable to watch the game and triggered by the loud cheering by her neighbours and in pubs. With an increase in alcohol, drugs, and gambling, games very quickly escalate to violence, having an impact on millions worldwide.
This also goes beyond male violence against women, with various men sharing the abuse and violence they have experienced for not enacting specific versions of masculinity often expected of them in sports. Neil Johnston from the BBC reported that football player Josh Cavallo has faced serious abuse, violence and hate since coming out as gay in 2021. While his story has pushed the conversation for change, he continues to face violence and homophobia both by players and by the fans and as of today little has changed with almost no openly gay and bisexual players in major leagues.
Dr. Alexandra Consterdine from the University of Birmingham highlights the impact of sport culture in our lives, allowing and often reproducing misogyny and violence in our society. They also highlight the acceptance of violence by the organisations themselves, which can be observed in this year’s World Cup with various players across nations having faced or currently facing serious sexual assault allegations with little to no repercussions. She notes how,
“Rather than perceiving sporting phenomena as an isolated microcosm of society, we see it as having agency and cultural power, with the capacity to enact social change.”
The men’s World Cups’ ability to bring in millions of eyes and billions in revenue is a reminder of the power football can have and the ability for this to be used to push for positive change and gender equality. This World Cup let’s remember this potential, opening conversations around these often hidden and gendered harms that go on in and outside of the pitch.
If you are interested in hosting discussions about masculinity, gender and difference, check out our new Outside of the Box programme. This new programme enables children and young people to learn about differences and break down existing stereotypes, stigma and prejudice around gender in a safe and supported environment. We are hosting stand-alone sessions and 8-week peer education programmes. To book these sessions or for more information, please contact Mark Hunter at Mark@fastforward.org.uk.
To learn more about our ongoing work on gender, difference, and equality make sure you also check out our Ask Dad page and keep an eye out on our website and newsletter for upcoming information and updates about Outside of the Box!
Sources:
Josh Cavallo: ‘Football still has an issue with homophobia’ – BBC Sport
Why the Men’s World Cup 2026 is a gender equality opportunity | UN Women – Headquarters