FIFA Secretary General, National Women’s Soccer League Commissioner and co-chair of the Women’s Leagues Forum discuss future development of women’s game

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström has met National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) Commissioner and co-chair of the Women’s Leagues Forum, Jessica Berman, in New York, United States, to discuss the development of the women’s professional game.

FIFA Secretary General Mattias Grafström meets National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) commissioner Jessica Berman

Growing the women’s game (December 2024)

Inside FIFA looks back at just some of the significant recent activity which has helped build the footprint of women’s football globally during November and December 2024. 

FIFA Women's Football Campaign, Puerto Rico

Expanded FIFA Women’s Development Programme offers new initiatives

The FIFA Women’s Development Programme has been renewed until 2027 and expanded, adding five additional offerings for member associations (MAs) to develop women’s football at a national level. Thirteen programmes are now available for MAs to benefit from.

Expanded FIFA Women’s Development Programme 

“We have to grow club football all over the world” - Gianni Infantino highlights need for FIFA Diploma in Club Management

FIFA President Gianni Infantino said, “We have to grow club football all over the world”, in a speech to participants on the opening day of the third edition of the FIFA Diploma in Club Management during one of the programme’s in-person sessions in Doha.

FIFA Diploma in Club Management

Best practices highlighted at FIFA Women's Football Regional Workshop for Concacaf Member Associations

Held in Santo Domingo, the workshop coincided with the closing stages of the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™. 41 member associations discussed football in the region and learned how FIFA can support its development.

FIFA Women's Football Regional Workshop for Concacaf Member Associations

Growing the women’s game (November 2024)

FIFA are working hard in all areas of the globe to help deliver a goal of 60 million female players by 2027 and Inside FIFA highlights just some of the recent women's football development actvity. 

Women’s Football Campaign in San Cristobal

Creating a sustainable future for women’s football in Somalia

First ever women’s football tournament in Somalia aiming to kick start women’s league with FIFA supporting through the COVID-19 Relief Plan. 

 Launch of first Women's Football Tournament in Somalia

Gunn & Jatobá fly women’s football development flag in Dominican Republic

New Zealand's Alana Gunn and Brazil's Simone Jatobá led their countries at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2024™ Both women recently took part in training programmes as part of FIFA's Women's Football Strategy.  

Alana Gunn, Head Coach of New Zealand, reacts during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup

Doreen Nabwire on shaping her legacy and the rise in Kenyan women’s football

FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Dominican Republic 2024™ Kenya’s first appearance this level

Doreen Nabwire

First FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup win shows women’s football in Ecuador on the rise

Ecuador are taking part in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup for first time in their history. The Ecuadorian Football Association has benefitted from various FIFA Women’s Football Development Programmes.

Eduardo Moscoso, Head Coach of Ecuador, looks on during the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Dominican Republic 2024 Group A match

Women’s Football Campaign delivers results across the globe

A look at some of the nations to have benefitted from the FIFA’s Women’s Football Campaign during 2024. At its core, the initiative is designed to encourage member associations in every corner of the globe to grow participation at youth level.

FIFA investment brings new faces to the world stage

FIFA’s concerted focus on developing women’s football in all corners continues to bring dividends with four new nations set to feature at the upcoming FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup™. 

Yuleinis Brito and Leoneidy Sano of the Dominican Republic pose for a portrait 

FIFA Council takes key decisions on FIFA Member Associations and upcoming FIFA competitions

The FIFA Council met at the Home of FIFA in Zurich on Thursday, 3 October 2024 and adopted key decisions on a variety of topics, including FIFA Member Associations and upcoming men’s and women’s competitions.

FIFA President Gianni Infantino speaks during the FIFA Council Meeting No.29 

FIFA Coach Mentorship programme makes its mark in Colombia

Four mentees from previous programme have appeared at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Colombia 2024™. One will feature in the play-off for third place. Quartet give their views on the programme

USA v Germany: Quarterfinals - FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Colombia 2024

Bogota hosts Women's Football Festival in run-up to FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup™

17 August turned out to be an unforgettable day for the girls and family members who accompanied them to the facilities of the Colombian Football Federation (FCF) in Bogotá.

FIFA Women’s Football Campaign: Football Festival in Bogotá

Liechtenstein reach landmark with FIFA/Coca-Cola Women's World Ranking

Liechtenstein have broken into the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking for first time.

Women's National Team of Liechtenstein

Katerina Mileska, passion at the heart of the transmission process

“More women, more goals” is the slogan for the women's football development programme launched in 2021 by the Football Federation of North Macedonia. Three years on, their progress is clear to see.

Katerina Mileska of North Macedonia

Asian member associations come together in Indonesia to discuss the growth of women's football in Asia

FIFA, working hand-in-hand with the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Indonesian Football Association (PSSI), hosted a Women's Football Regional Workshop in Jakarta - where FIFA last year opened the FIFA Indonesia Office.   

FIFA Women's Football Regional Workshop in Jakarta

FIFA Member Associations in focus (May 2024)

We take a look at the extraordinary work that FIFA's member associations have done in recent weeks to promote, strengthen and make football truly global.

A general view during Football for School at The Rajamangala National Stadium

Gender equality at the heart of FIFA and GIZ Sport for Women’s Empowerment programme

Sixteen organisations from around the world, three of which are national football associations, to receive funding as part of the first call for project co-financed under the Sport for Women’s Empowerment programme. 

Anahat for Change Foundation (India) 

Multiple job-holding report provides insights to help improve elite women’s football

FIFA has released a report which examines the circumstances of elite female players who, apart from football, hold other jobs, or have care or study commitments, in various countries around the world.

Silhouette of a female football player

Capacity-Building in Africa: Women's empowerment in focus

In order to provide a more impactful support for women's football in Africa, CAF, together with  FIFA, hosted a women's football seminar aimed at strengthening the operational performance of member associations.

CAF Capacity Building Workshop

Greek FA launches its women's football strategy with FIFA support

The Hellenic Football Federation (EPO) has launched its women's football strategy with the support of FIFA through the Women's Football Development Programme. 

Hellenic Football Federation Women’s Strategy Launch Event

Conti: FIFA’s Mentorship Programme was an unforgettable experience 

 In 2021, after Pamela Conti had been in charge of Venezuela’s women’s side for nearly two years, Montse Tome, the current coach of world champions Spain, suggested that she take part in the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme.

Mentee Pamela Conti and her mentor Tom Sermanni

Iraia Iturregi: “Taking part in the programme made me feel empowered”

The Athletic Club legend was a mentor in the latest edition of the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme

Iraia Iturregi during a Portrait session as part of FIFA Women's Development Programme at HoF, Home of FIFA

"We’re here to create opportunities for female coaches"

FIFA's Women's Coach Mentorship Programme was a unique opportunity for Lidija Stojkanovic

CMP Mentor and Mentee: Nils Nielsen (L) and Lidija Stojkanovic 

A special year for women’s football

All eyes were on women’s football from 20 July to 20 August 2023 for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™, which had a 32-team format for the first time and set new benchmarks for the competition. 

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) launched Women Football Campaign 

Vintage year for FIFA-run events

The Women’s World Cup and the U-17 World Cup were among the highlights

Olga Carmona of Spain poses with the trophy after victory in the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Final

Polish women’s football boosted by FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026™ announcement

The President of the Polish Football Association (PZPN), Cezary Kulesza, says that hosting the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2026™ will provide a boost to the participation of women and girls in Poland.

WF Development Poland 

Sarai Bareman encourages football leaders to draw inspiration from Morocco and invest in women's football

Football leaders from FIFA's 211 Member Associations have been encouraged to follow the example of Morocco, who recently advanced to the first knockout stage of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ on their debut at the tournament, and invest in women's football. 

FIFA Chief Women's Football Officer Sarai Bareman during the FIFA Football Summit 2023

As Coach Mentorship Programme concludes: “This is just the beginning”

A two-day workshop at the Home of FIFA in Zurich marked the official conclusion of the latest edition of the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme. 

A group photo during the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme at HoF

Thailand takes next step in the development of women's football

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) organised a two-day Workshop on Women's Club Licensing and Capacity-Building for Administrators

Women’s Football Campaign Ubon Ratchathani  (Thailand)

Emma Hayes: “I want to encourage little girls to think big” 

 Chelsea women’s manager Emma Hayes calls for more women in coaching and boardroom roles

I want to encourage all little girls to think big

Mentor and mentee praise FIFA Coach Education Scholarship programme

Victoria Boardman is one of the beneficiaries of the FIFA Coach Education Scholarship with the North Carolina Courage FC assistant coach and her mentor, Jonas Urias, highlighting the working relationship they have established.

North Carolina Courage’s assistant coach Victoria Boardman 

“We need to start talking about the menstrual cycle and normalising it”

Dr Nonhlanhla Mkumbuzi is one of more than twenty global experts working with FIFA on Women’s Health, Wellbeing and Performance, a project which is part of the FIFA Women’s Football Division's focus on addressing crucial challenges in women's health.

FIFA Women’s Football Development Workshop – South Sudan

Health and wellbeing of female footballers in focus

An enhanced focus on women’s specific sports science is essential for the future growth of the game and the protection of female athletes according to Dr Georgie Bruinvels. 

Dr Georgie Bruinvels at the FIFA Women's Football Convention - FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023

FIFA and GIZ expand partnership with launch of Sport for Women’s Empowerment Programme

FIFA and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) are launching the Sport for Women’s Empowerment Programme, which focuses on gender equality. FIFA and GIZ were put in contact by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).

Girls play football

A special day for women's football in Kosovo

The Emerald Hotel in Pristina was the scene of football history in Kosovo on the evening of Monday 30 October, as the Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) launched their Women’s Football Strategy 2024-28.

The Football Federation of Kosovo has officially launched its Women's Football Strategy

Benítez and Galindo share enriching experience

Epifania Benítez et Ana Galindo are taking part in the second edition of the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme.

Mantee Ana Galindo visits mentor Epifania Benitez as part of the FIFA Coach Mentorship Programme

Important milestones in the development of women's football in Kenya

As part of FIFA's Women's Development Programme, the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) conducted various workshops.

 Club Licensing workshop for FKF Women Premier League Clubs - Group Picture

Anouschka Bernhard: From mentee to mentor

Anouschka Bernhard is a mentor with the FIFA Coach Education Scholarship Programme, where she shares her experience. 

Anouschka Bernhard at HoF

FIFA Women’s Football Strategy marks fifth anniversary

FIFA’s Women’s Football Strategy was launched five years ago today. The Strategy and its five pillars formed the framework of the recent FIFA Women's Football Conference.

Women's Football Development Programme success stories