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Tag: Women’s World Cup

  • FIFA approves 48 teams for Women’s World Cup from 2031

    FIFA approves 48 teams for Women’s World Cup from 2031

    The Women’s World Cup will be expanded from 32 to 48 teams from the 2031 edition onwards after the FIFA Council approved the proposal at a virtual meeting on Friday.

    The 48-team World Cup will adopt a 12-group format, increasing the total number of matches from 64 to 104 – the same as the expanded men’s World Cup in 2026 – and extending the tournament by one week.

    The 2027 Women’s World Cup, which will be held in Brazil, will have 32 teams.

    The 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand was the first to have 32 teams, up from 24 in the 2019 tournament hosted by France.

    “This is not just about having 16 more teams playing in the FIFA Women’s World Cup but taking the next steps in relation to the women’s game in general,” FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.

    “More FIFA member associations have the chance to benefit from the tournament to develop their women’s football structures from a holistic point of view,”he said.

    The U.S. is poised to be named host of the 2031 Women’s World Cup as the only bid, making the third time the country will stage the tournament after previously hosting it in 1999 and 2003.

    The United Kingdom is the sole bidder for the 2035 tournament. Hosts for the 2031 and 2035 editions are yet to be ratified.

    Although there are concerns that games could be one-sided with 48 teams, Infantino said the 2023 edition showed sides are closing the gap on the elite.

    “The  Women’s World Cup 2023, the first in which teams from all confederations won at least one game and teams from five confederations reached the knockout stage, mong many other records, set a new standard for global competitiveness,” he added.

  • USA end Flamingos title hopes at U-17 Women’s World Cup

    USA end Flamingos title hopes at U-17 Women’s World Cup

    The United States of America ended Nigeria’s FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup title hopes with a 2-0 victory in their quarter-final clash at the CFC Stadium, Santiago de los Caballeros, on Saturday.

    Goals from Katharine Fuller and Kimball Ascanio were enough to send the Flamingos packing, as the Americans avenged their 2022 quarter-final loss to Nigeria.

    Fuller put the Americans ahead from the penalty spot in the 43rd minute before Ascanio doubled the lead in the 74th minute to seal victory for the three-time quarter-finalists.

    The defeat ended Nigeria’s impressive run in the tournament, where they had won all their group matches against New Zealand, Ecuador, and the Dominican Republic, scoring nine goals and conceding just one.

    Coach Bankole Olowookere made two first-half substitutions, bringing on Blessing Ifitezue and Victory Ekezie for Peace Effiong and Risikat Azeez, respectively, but these changes failed to shift the game’s momentum.

    The Americans continued their dominance in the second half, with coach Natalia Astrain making tactical substitutions that proved effective. Ascanio, who came on as a substitute, made an immediate impact by scoring the crucial second goal.

    The result marked a bitter end to Nigeria’s campaign, as they entered the match with high hopes of replicating their 2022 triumph over the same opponents, where they won via penalties after a 1-1 draw in regular time.

    The Flamingos, who achieved their best-ever finish of third place in India in 2022, aimed to surpass that record but faced a determined American side eager to reach their first semi-final since 2008.

    The defeat also halted Nigeria’s impressive streak in this year’s tournament, where they maintained a perfect record in the group stage for the third time in their history (2010, 2014, 2024).

    The USA will now progress to the semi-finals, marking their first appearance in the last four since 2008, when they finished as runners-up in the tournament’s inaugural edition.

    PUNCH

  • U-17 WWC Qualifier: Flamingos whitewash Central African Republic 6-0

    U-17 WWC Qualifier: Flamingos whitewash Central African Republic 6-0

    Nigeria women’s national under-17 football team, the Flamingos on Friday in Abuja whitewashed their Central African Republic counterparts 6-0, in the second-leg of the 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Qualifier.

    The match played at the Moshood Abiola Stadium, Abuja, saw Flamingos  Harmony Chidi, scoring in the second minute of the game to keep her team in front.

    Chidi double the score in the 14th minute, while Tessy Ojiyovwi scored in the 36th minute to increase the tally to three.

    The visitors fought back with renewed vigour but were unable to utilise their scoring chance.

    On the resumption of the second half,  the Nigerian girls continued the push for more goals and their effort paid off when substitute Ramota Kareem registered her name on score sheet in the 55th minute for the team’s fourth goals.

    Kareem went on to grab a brace in the 85th minute to further compound the woes of the visitors with a fifth goal.

    The humiliation was completed when Chidi scored the sixth goal of the match in the 90th minute to make it 6-0.

    Flamingos defeated the Central African Republic in the first leg in Cameroon, 6-0.

    The win ensured the Flamingos moved into the next round of the qualifiers with a 12-0 aggregate thumping of their  Central African Republic counterparts.

    The 2024 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup to be hosted by the Dominican Republic, from Oct. 16 to Nov. 3, will be the 8th edition of the tournament.

    Sixteen teams from six confederations are expected to participate in the championship.

    NAN

  • W/World Cup: Spanish FA chief slammed over final kiss

    W/World Cup: Spanish FA chief slammed over final kiss

    Spanish football federation chief, Luis Rubiales has drawn heavy criticism in his home country for kissing footballer Jennifer Hermoso on the mouth after the World Cup final in Sydney.

    Spain’s women beat England 1-0 to lift their first World Cup but the scenes before the trophy presentation left many in Spain uneasy, including government ministers.

    “It is a form of sexual assault that we women suffer every day and that has been invisible until now and we must not normalise it

    “Consent is key. Only a yes is a yes,” Spain’s Equality Minister Irene Montero wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

    Minister of Social Rights, Ione Belarra also wrote about the incident on X.

    “We are all thinking: if they do this in front of the whole of Spain, what will they not do in private? Sexual violence against women must end,” she remarked.

    Rubiales hugged all of Spain’s players but the 45-year-old also kissed Hermoso on the mouth after embracing her and kissing her on the cheek.

    “I didn’t like it,” the 33-year-old said.

    Spain’s World Cup triumph came in spite a huge row between the squad and coach Jorge Vilda over his methods.

    Some players boycotted the squad before the tournament in protest but Rubiales stuck by his coach.

    Rubiales also defended himself over the kiss, telling Radio Marca:

    “The kiss with Jenni? There are idiots everywhere. When two people share an unimportant gesture of mutual affection, you can’t pay attention to the crap that’s being said.”

  • BREAKING: England beat Australia to reach first Women’s World Cup final

    BREAKING: England beat Australia to reach first Women’s World Cup final

    England spoiled co-hosts Australia’s party by booking their place in the Women’s World Cup final for the first time on a historic evening in Sydney.

    Silencing a sell-out crowd at Stadium Australia, the Lionesses became the first English side since 1966 to reach the final on the world stage.

    It caps a sensational two years under manager Sarina Wiegman as England, crowned European champions for the first time last year on home soil, showed their superiority and know-how to see off an Australia side spurred on by a nation who have been inspired by the Matildas’ success.

    Ella Toone gave England the lead in the first half with a superb first-time strike which sailed into the top corner.

    The Lionesses controlled proceedings until the second half when Australia threw everything at them and star striker Sam Kerr – starting her first match of the tournament – struck a 25-yard stunner over goalkeeper Mary Earps’ head to make it 1-1.

    But England, as they so often do, found a way back into the game when Lauren Hemp pounced on a defensive error to restore their lead, before Alessia Russo made sure of victory late on to set up a final with Spain.

    BBC

  • Swiss brush up attacking plan for knockout game against Spain

    Swiss brush up attacking plan for knockout game against Spain

    Coach Inka Grings says the Swiss Women Football team have worked intensively this week on the offensive part of their game.

    Switzerland kept a clean sheet through the group stage of the Women’s World Cup but only scored two goals through three games.

    “This was definitely one of our focus points this week . . . it was something that we analysed intensively.

    “We talked through with the team and also take the offensive players, assertive players, bring them more into the team,” Grings told a news conference on Friday.

    Switzerland take on Spain in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Round of 16 game at Auckland’s Eden Park on Saturday.

    Grings’ 20th-ranked squad topped Group A in their second World Cup appearance, with a 2-0 win over the Philippines and scoreless draws with Norway and New Zealand.

    “Of course we have to be more assertive in that run towards the goal,” Grings said.

    “We have really understood that message and we have helped to convey that with videos.

    “I can also read from the body language from the players that it’s been quite an intensive week.”

    Sixth-ranked Spain, considered the favourites on Saturday, albeit in a tournament of numerous upsets so far, kicked off their campaign by beating Zambia and Costa Rica by a combined score of 8-0.

    But Japan ran roughshod over La Roja in a 4-0 victory to cap the group stage.

    “(Spain) have shown us weaknesses that we have analysed intensively with our team, however (Saturday) of course is a different match,” Grings said.

    “Spain has very strong players. We don’t want to focus and shouldn’t focus on just one player. We look at them as a compact and strong team.”

    The Swiss were ousted in the round of 16 in their only other World Cup appearance in 2015.

    The winner of Saturday’s match will play the winner of the Netherlands and South Africa next Thursday.

  • We’ll pay World Cup prize money directly to players because of Super Falcons – FIFA

    We’ll pay World Cup prize money directly to players because of Super Falcons – FIFA

    World football governing body, FIFA, says the prize money for the ongoing 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be paid directly to the players without interference from a third party.

    Fatma Samoura, FIFA secretary-general who made the disclosure in a viral video, noted on Wednesday that the decision is due to the unpaid allowance issues involving the Super Falcons of Nigeria.

    Super Falcons coach, Randy Waldrum, disclosed in the lead-up to the World Cup, that some players are owed “per diem and bonuses” from two years ago.

    Samoura, in the video, acknowledged that “things have been tough” for the Falcons, adding that FIFA will for the first time monitor that match bonuses get to the players directly.

    “I know that things have been tough. We have to face the realities of Nigeria.

    “It pains me a lot. It is because of you [the Super Falcons] that, for the first time, the prize money has been ring-fenced in the history of FIFA to ensure that it goes to you,” Samoura said.

  • W/World Cup: South Africa stun Italy to secure last-16 spot

    W/World Cup: South Africa stun Italy to secure last-16 spot

    South Africa scored an added-time winner to stun Italy 3-2 at Wellington Regional Stadium to book their last-16 spot at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup on Wednesday.

    The Banyana Banyana will now face the Netherlands in the knockout stage following a thrilling win over Italy, who would have advanced with a point.

    Italy took the lead after 11 minutes when Arianna Caruso slotted home low from the penalty spot after Chiara Beccari had been fouled by Karabo Dhlamini.

    Robyn Moodaly’s swerving shot struck the post on 20 minutes before South Africa were leveled in the 32nd minute.

    This was when Benedetta Orsi’s misplaced backpass skidded past her own goalkeeper Francesca Durante.

    Beccari almost restored Italy’s lead in the first half when her header came back off the post but they fell behind midway through the second half.

    This was when Thembi Kgatlana slipped a clever pass through to Hildah Magaia to finish beyond Durante.

    Kgatlana was then denied by a flying save from Durante which proved crucial minutes later when Italy equalised.

    This was after Caruso flicked out a leg to deflect substitute Cristiana Girelli’s header beyond Kaylin Swart.

    Girelli was denied from close range by a superb save from Swart before South Africa regained the lead decisively in the second minute of added time.

    This was when Kgatlana finished at the near post from Magaia’s pass to send her team into the next round.

    Player-of-the-match Magaia has now scored two goals at the 2023 finals and is the first player to score more than one goal in a single edition of the Women’s World Cup for South Africa.

    Milena Bertolini, Italy coach expressed disappointment after the match, saying that it was unfortunate all their hardwork failed to pay off at the end.

    “We’re very sorry because we worked hard to get through, but we didn’t succeed. I don’t think this group lacked understanding, the girls are very good together.

    “Maybe there was a little fear, the five goals against Sweden took away our certainties and it showed in the first goal we scored ourselves.

    “Today, the main opponent was not South Africa but ourselves.

    “I’m very convinced of the choices I’ve made, I think these are the best players and I think there will be a good future for this national team,” he said.

    Bertolini noted that the World Cup also served to raise young girls that Italian women’s football will meet in the future.

    “My future doesn’t matter so much, only the future of the movement matters.

    “I hope I have left a legacy with this young team, who have had an important experience and that the movement will find itself again for the future,” he said.

  • [BREAKING] W/World Cup: Oshoala scores as Super Falcons defeat Australia

    [BREAKING] W/World Cup: Oshoala scores as Super Falcons defeat Australia

    The Super Falcons of Nigeria have defeated co-host Australia 3-2 in the ongoing 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

    Australia took the lead in the first minute of the added five minutes after the regular first 45 minutes through Van Egmood.

    The Super Falcons responded swiftly to Australia’s goal with the equalizer through Uchenna Kanu in the last minute of the added time.

    The Falcons have since overturned the game on its head and already leading 3-1 with Osinachi Ohale and Asisat Oshoala getting two extra goals for the Africans.

    The Barcelona striker receives a yellow card after pulling her shirt to celebrate her goal.

    The referee added extra 11 minutes in the second half and Australia’s pressure pays off as Kennedy reduces the deficit.

  • Women’s World Cup: Bolden secures historic win for Philippines

    Women’s World Cup: Bolden secures historic win for Philippines

    Sarina Bolden scored the only goal as Philipines revived their chances of going through in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with an upset of New Zealand in Wellington on Tuesday.

    It was the tournament’s newcomers first-ever win at a global finals as Bolden etched her name into history as the Philippines secured a 1-0 win over co-hosts New Zealand.

    The confident Kiwis started the match, looking for more history after their first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup win against Norway in the tournament opener.

    Instead it was the Filipinos who stunned the sold-out Wellington Regional Stadium when Bolden nodded home their maiden goal in the competition in the 24th minute.

    It was the first goal by any team making its debut at the 2023 edition of the tournament.

    The Football Ferns pushed hard for an equaliser, and an excellent cross from Hannah Wilkinson found Jacqui Hand in the 69th minute.

    She headed the ball into the net, but the goal was eventually ruled out after Wilkinson was deemed offside.

    Grace Jale’s effort in the dying moments of the game was superbly saved by Olivia McDaniel to deny the hosts an equaliser, and the Philippines held on for a famous victory.

    Jitka Klimkova, New Zealand head coach, expressed disappointment at the result, saying that even though they were the better team, luck wasn’t on their side.

    “I have to say, it’s so heartbreaking for everyone in this team. We played to win today and it didn’t go our way. I saw all our faces – we wanted it.

    “We were fighting to the end, but it wasn’t enough. We were missing a little piece in our execution and that was decisive today.

    “We were dominating the game again. There were too many unforced turnovers, we didn’t see those turnovers in our game against Norway.

    “This time we had more than we wanted. We will review, we will look at the game, we will look for a way we can go against Switzerland. We will keep fighting,” she said.

    Katie Bowen, New Zealand defender also rued their missed chances, adding that it was massive disappointment for the team.

    “It’s still pretty raw at the moment. It’s massively disappointing.

    “I felt we had chances and most of the possession, but we weren’t clinical enough and they wanted it more than us.”