Women’s Football Stories Showcasing Disability in YA and Adult Fiction

Women’s football fiction is as much about the people as it is about the game, and that means telling stories that reflect the full diversity of players, fans, and communities. This curated list spotlights YA and adult novels where disability is part of the narrative, whether it’s explicitly named on the page (canonical) or implied through characterisation and context (coded).

Neurodivergent Representation

The Game Changer

Finley Chuva 

(Autism – canonical)  

Professional soccer star Elena Torres is navigating life after a late autism diagnosis while balancing fame, friendships, and a slow‑burn romance with her best friend’s sister. This sapphic sports romance blends authentic autistic representation with a warm, queer ensemble cast.

My review >

Cleat Cute

Meryl Wilsner 

(Autism – coded; ADHD – canonical)  

Veteran USWNT player Grace, implied autistic, and rookie Phoebe, whose ADHD is openly discussed, start a friends‑with‑benefits arrangement that turns into something deeper. Alongside the romance, the novel offers casual, intersectional queer and trans representation in a professional football setting.

My review >

Mental Health & Invisible Illness

Game Changers

Jane Cuthbertson 

(Depression – canonical)  

Rachel, a retired air traffic controller living with long‑term clinical depression, finds unexpected love with younger pro player Jaye. When tragedy strikes, both women must draw on their resilience to rebuild their lives on and off the pitch.

Playing the Field

Ivy Bailey 

(Anxiety – canonical)  

Bisexual team captain Sadie is laser‑focused on making the national squad, but her father’s illness and her own mental health struggles complicate her season. This YA rom‑com pairs enemies‑to‑lovers banter with sensitive handling of grief and resilience.

Counterattack: Under Pressure

Emma Carlson Berne 

(Anxiety & disordered eating/body image – coded)  

High school senior Elise risks her health and integrity by taking performance‑enhancing pills to impress a college scout. The story tackles body image, anxiety, and the pressures young athletes face in competitive sport.

You Don’t Have a Shot

Raquel Marie 

(Anxiety – canonical)  

Vale and Leticia, rival Latinx co‑captains at a summer soccer camp, navigate grief, cultural identity, and queer romance. The cast includes characters dealing with anxiety, chronic illness in loved ones, and diverse LGBTQ+ identities, woven naturally into the story.

My review >

Chronic Illness & Physical Disability

The Big Score

Karen Tucci & Isabella Tucci 

(Anxiety – canonical)  

At a Christian prep school, Keeley and her childhood friend Nik reconnect through soccer while navigating anxiety and family secrets. This sweet YA romance includes anxiety representation and themes of trust, faith, and emotional safety.

Only When It’s Us

Chloe Liese 

(Late‑deafness – canonical)  

College soccer star Willa clashes with her gruff classmate Ryder, who is late‑deafened after illness, in a frenemies‑to‑lovers romance, showing accessible communication and the nuances of living with hearing loss.

Scoring a Spouse

Liz Lincoln 

(Rheumatoid arthritis – canonical)  

Pro player Erika hides her rheumatoid arthritis diagnosis to protect her career, entering a marriage of convenience with a tech exec to cover medical costs. The romance explores chronic illness, secrecy, and the tension between ambition and health.

Our Last Hope

Allison Van Wheeler 

(Multiple chronic illnesses – canonical)  

Eloise’s dream of soccer stardom ends when multiple chronic illnesses force her off the field. With the help of a new friend, she learns to channel her passion into new pursuits and redefine her identity beyond sport.

Catastrophe Theory

Rebecca Lowry Warchut 

(Brain tumour – canonical)  

Vera’s senior‑year soccer season is cut short by a rare brain tumour, sending her and her mother to Florida for surgery just as a hurricane approaches. This YA novel blends medical realism with a tense, emotional mother‑daughter journey.

Want to discover more women's soccer books? Visit the main list here.