ZURICH --
FIFA research shows fewer than one in four member federations has staff dedicated to working for women's football.
One in five federations did not have a women's senior national team and half did not run youth national teams, FIFA said Wednesday.
FIFA said 177 of its 209 members replied to the survey last year, allowing it to ''make conclusions and recommendations which can be applied across all confederations.''
The research said more than 30 million women and girls are playing football, though few seem to be involved as officials.
Women accounted for one in six members of federation executive committees. That is more than the three women on FIFA's 27-member ruling board.
One in 10 referees worldwide and around one in 14 coaches are women, the study found.
FIFA has committed to double funding for women's football through 2018, without giving specific financial details.
The research found almost $39 million was invested by the 177 members last year, at an average of $220,000.
FIFA said it already committed to supporting 298 projects across 120 federations this year.
