When women's teams play men's teams, the women usually lose, often by large margins. This page covers three notable matches: Australia's women's national team lost 7–0 to a Newcastle Jets under-16 side (May 2016), a team of mostly retired USWNT players lost 12–0 to Wrexham AFC in a seven-a-side tournament (June 2023), and in 1917 the Dick Kerr & Company factory team beat the Arundel Coulthard Factory team 4–0.

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.

soccer women can women match men at football (soccer)?

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.
Women v men football match results
Year Women's Team Opponent Score Notes
1917 Dick Kerr & Company (Preston) Arundel Coulthard Factory 4–0 (win) Munitions factory teams
2016 Australia women's national team Newcastle Jets U16 0–7 (loss) Ranked 5th in world; no overseas-based players
2023 U.S. team (mostly retired USWNT players) Wrexham AFC 0–12 (loss) Seven-a-side; shots 39 to 5

Frequently Asked Questions

Do women's football teams ever play against men's teams?

Yes, but mostly in friendlies and training matches. Women's national teams such as the USWNT regularly play male youth or college teams to prepare for international competitions.

What is the biggest defeat of a women's team by a men's team?

One of the heaviest was in June 2023, when Wrexham AFC beat a team of mostly retired USWNT players 12–0 in a seven-a-side tournament, outshooting them 39 to 5.

Did Australia's women's team lose to a boys' team?

Yes. In May 2016 Australia's women's team, then ranked fifth in the world, lost 7–0 to a Newcastle Jets under-16 side. The team was playing without its overseas-based players.

Why don't men and women play in the same professional football leagues?

Because of the physical differences between male and female players. Separate men's and women's leagues and competitions are used to ensure fair play.

Do boys and girls play football together?

Often, yes. In junior leagues, teams are frequently made up of mixed genders.