Football Association, WSL Football, Imperial College London and Hanna Lehtovirta
5 November 2026
The Football Association and WSL Football have launched a major research project investigating anterior cruciate ligament injuries among female footballers. The study aims to identify contributing factors and improve prevention strategies.
The FA-funded programme will invite players and staff from every Women’s Super League and WSL2 club to participate. Researchers will examine injury history, training loads, hormonal influences, nutrition and psychological factors. They will compare data from injured and uninjured players dating back to 2018-19 before conducting interviews about existing prevention and rehabilitation practices.
Why It Matters
The research could produce better injury prevention and rehabilitation practices across professional women's football.