February 2 – On the same day that Saudi Arabia were confirmed as hosts of the 2027 Asian Cup, the Arab Kingdom faced criticism over rumours of the country’s tourism body’s sponsorship of the 2023 Women’s World Cup by human rights groups, who called it “a textbook case of sportswashing”.
February 2 – Former New Zealand international Maia Jackman has added her voice to the mounting discontent over the proposed Saudi sponsorship of the Women’s World Cup.
January 31 – The United States soccer federation is to introduce a more thorough vetting system for coaches and officials as part of reforms after an investigation found widespread misconduct in the top-flight women’s league (NWSL).
January 31 – FIFA has shifted the 2023 Women’s World Cup opening match in Australia to the 83,500-capacity Stadium Australia after a larger than expected demand for tickets.
January 25 – Adidas has unveiled the official ball for the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, which like the ball for the Qatar 2022 finals last year, will feature connected ball technology.
January 23 – Chelsea women’s team manager Emma Hayes says the women’s game must be “taken more seriously” after her side’s WSL match against Liverpool on Sunday was abandoned due to a frozen pitch – six minutes after kickoff.
January 17 – FIFA is reporting more than 500,000 tickets have been sold for the Women’s World Cup 2023 to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in July and August.
January 12 – Promotion of the Women’s World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand is gathering speed with FIFA picking up the ‘Beyond Greatness’ theme of local organisers and launching their own team of local stars to be known as ‘Beyond Greatness Champions’.
January 9 – FIFA’s Referees Committee has announced the 33 referees, 55 assistant referees and 19 video match officials for the Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023.
December 22 – More than 348,000 fans have attended games in the Women’s Super League in the first half of the 2022/23 season, a rise of 227% on the previous season, according to the English FA, who have hailed 2022 as a historic breakthrough year for the women’s game in the country.
December 15 – A joint investigation unit commissioned by the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) and their players association (NWSLPA) has found widespread, ongoing misconduct in the top-flight North American league, according to a report released on Wednesday.
December 12 – While the Qatar 2022 men’s World Cup is at semi-final stage, the 2023 World Cup has reached base camp – 29 of them.
December 9 – Despite losing three of their past four matches, the US women’s team still top the FIFA world rankings, though the gap between them and second placed Germany is narrowing.
December 2 – Stephanie Frappart made history on Thursday as the first woman to referee a men’s World Cup match, taking charge of the Germany vs Costa Rica final group E game at the Al Bayt Stadium.
November 14 – Australia’s Commonwealth Bank has signed as a Women’s World Cup 2023 Official Supporter. The tournament will be joint hosted by Australia and New Zealand next summer.