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What if men played soccer under women's conditions?

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November 29, 2025

A heavier ball, oversized goal, and giant pitch: men try women's soccer conditions in a world-first experiment — and discover how tough the game really is.

In Switzerland, two elite men's youth soccer teams played under conditions scaled to match women's challenges: an XXL pitch, larger goals, a heavier ball, and longer playtime. Even top players struggled, proving how demanding women's soccer is. Women's soccer looks different because it follows standards built for men's size, speed, and strength — not for women's physiology. The experiment confirms findings in a study by two Norwegian researchers, titled "A Fairer Comparison of Men's and Women's Soccer," which raises important questions about gender and fairness in sports.

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