Performance, Participation, and the Push for Change

Professional women's soccer teams have increasingly moved away from white shorts due to concerns related to period anxiety. Research indicates that this issue continues to affect performance and discourages young girls from participating in sports.

A 2024 peer-reviewed study, presented at the University of St. Gallen, examined the performance effects of wearing white shorts. The research, based on data from World Cups and European Championships between 2002 and 2023, found that women's teams wearing white shorts averaged fewer points per game compared to teams in darker colors. This performance drop was not observed in men's teams wearing white.

The lack of open discussion on this topic was highlighted. Sports should promote gender empowerment and inclusivity, especially for young girls.

Several teams at Euro 2025 are wearing white shorts. England's Lionesses switched to blue shorts before the 2023 World Cup following player complaints. The team's captain emphasized the importance of normalizing conversations about periods in sports.

The National Women's Soccer League in the U.S. eliminated white shorts in 2024. The Wimbledon tennis Grand Slam relaxed its all-white clothing rule for women, allowing dark-colored undershorts.

A campaign aimed at erasing the stigma around periods in sports was launched. The campaign highlighted the embarrassment and shame associated with periods, particularly in school environments. The goal is to allow athletes to feel free and uninhibited while playing sports.

Menstruation was a topic at UEFA's Medical Symposium this year. The menstrual cycle is seen as both a taboo subject and a barrier to participation in sports. Research indicates that period leaks are a major concern for many athletes. A separate study revealed that a significant percentage of girls fear playing sports due to period leaks.

The importance of addressing the uniform issue to encourage girls' participation in sports was emphasized. Removing this obstacle can help expand their social networks.

The challenges in accessing historical data on women's soccer compared to men's soccer were also noted. Finding data, such as pictures or videos, from past tournaments has proven difficult.