FIFA rethink: Iranian women’s protest is social not political
June 19 – FIFA has admitted it was wrong that two fans were ejected from a Women’s World Cup match for wearing T-shirts calling for Iranian women to be let into stadiums.
Women
France lay down title credentials to challenge US for Women’s World Cup
June 18 – Three games, three wins. Long way to go of course but as 100 percent starts go, host nation France have laid down a marker in the women’s World Cup in their bid to snatch the trophy away from the United States.
Infantino re-floats concept of a womens’ club World League
By Andrew Warshaw
June 12 – FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to resurrect the concept of a ‘world league’ for women in order to generate additional revenue to help address the disparity in prize money compared to the men’s game.
Damned when you do, damned when you don’t. US criticised at home for over-whooping
June 12 – After racking up the biggest ever victory in the history of the women’s World Cup with their 13-0 crushing of Thailand, the way defending champions the United States celebrated has been heavily criticised by North American broadcasters.
France 2019 ticket sales top 1 million, but fans still slow to fill stadia
June 12 – FIFA has trumpeted selling over one million tickets for the Women’s World Cup so far, but the first round of games has seen a lot of empty seats at venues across France, raising questions about the ticketing policy for the tournament.
Nothing unlucky about that 13. US massacre Thais setting World Cup scoring record
June 12 – The US broke a World Cup record by annihilating Thailand 13-0 to begin their title defence with an emphatic statement. Alex Morgan grabbed five goals in a 90-minute massacre.
Thailand face US firepower as World Cup holders set to open France 2019 campaign
June 11 – The United States will launch their title defence at the Women’s World Cup in Reims, France, against Thailand tonight. The Americans, the most successful team in women’s football, are sky-high favourites to win the tournament.
FIFA politics over, France get down to World Cup business with an emphatic opening day win
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 8 – Emerging from the Parc des Princes metro for the start of the eighth women’s World Cup, supporters could have been forgiven for wondering whether they had picked the wrong game at the wrong time.
France 2019 ready to kick-off women’s showcase but calls for more money parity still simmer
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
June 7 – ‘Dare to shine’. Tonight the hosts and South Korea will try and convert that slogan on to the pitch at the curtain raiser of the France 2019 Women’s World Cup. On the sidelines US legend Mia Hamm issued another rallying cry for more investment in the women’s game.
Infantino outlines breakdown of $500m for women’s game and revives world league idea
By Samindra Kunti in Paris
June 7 – FIFA and Gianni Infantino have promised to invest $500 million in the women’s game over the next four years, responding to the criticism over the minimal prize money on offer at the Women’s World Cup in France.
All about the money? Infantino sidesteps safeguarding issues saying women’s game is ‘real’
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 7 – Hours before the women’s World Cup was due to kick off in the French capital, Gianni Infantino insisted the tournament would change perceptions about the women’s game for ever. But more importantly the FIFA president missed a vital – some might say essential – opportunity to address the scourge of sexual harassment pervading the game.
World Cup in waiting. Paris warming towards France 2019 kick-off
By Andrew Warshaw in Paris
June 6 – There are precious few welcoming banners, hardly any fanfare and no signs of the thousands of fans who traditionally pour in from across the globe to watch the men’s version of the tournament.
Concacaf set out vision for women’s growth and Concacaf W brand
June 6 – Concacaf have announced plans for the development of the women’s game in its region – under the Concacaf W moniker – with the objective of providing every girl in their confederation footprint with an opportunity to play football.
Reggae Girlz are bringing their own style to France 2019
June 3 – Last time Jamaica were in a World Cup final tournament in France was in 1998 when the Reggae Boyz instantly won hearts and minds as every football fan’s favourite second team. Now it’s the Reggae Girlz turn to bring the athleticsm and joy in the style only Jamaicans can.
VISA signs 5-year deal with USSF with 50% pledged to women’s game
June 3 – The US Soccer Federation (USSF) has signed a new five-year deal with VISA with the global payments firm taking a lead on gender parity, specifying that 50% of its sponsorship should go towards the women’s game.