Women’s leagues will feature in the new Football Manager video game released next month, a first in the decades-long history of the popular series that simulates team tactics and transfer drama.

“Football Manager 26” reflects the fast-rising profile of women’s football, with Euro 2025 and the last World Cup both drawing record crowds.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Tina Keech, who led the creation from scratch of a vast metrics database that gives gamers behind-the-scenes control of 14 global women’s leagues.

“Of course” some fans have made sexist complaints, she told AFP, but “the majority have been really positive”.

“It’s actually just enhancing the game and making it a good experience, and a different experience,” Keech said.

Of the millions of Football Manager gamers, 96 per

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