The eyes of the football world have been on the Middle East and Arab world over the past month, with the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 drawing record crowds and stunning broadcast audiences as world-class players and teams have thrilled fans across the globe. The tournament has also offered the chance for many different people and groups to unite to discuss football and strategise how to further develop and grow the game globally. Women’s Football is a key priority for FIFA, and during the quarter final stages of Qatar 2022, FIFA took the opportunity to bring together leading representatives from each of its six Confederations for a dedicated workshop.
Held on December 9 and 10, the workshop provided representatives from AFC, CAF, Concacaf, CONMEBOL, OFC, and UEFA, with the chance to unite in person for the first time since the start of the global pandemic to discuss opportunities and challenges specific to the women’s game. Led by FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman, the workshop enabled the representatives to discuss the FIFA Women’s World Cup, women’s football development, the professionalisation of women’s football, and ultimately how FIFA and its Confederations can work together to achieve sustainable growth at all levels. The FIFA Women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand in 2023, and, after all six Confederations successfully held their own final tournaments in 2022, Bareman believes the stage is set for women’s football to continue on its growth trajectory next year.
“It was incredible to host the six Confederations in Qatar with the backdrop of the FIFA World Cup,” Bareman said. “This was a unique opportunity to bring everyone together to talk about the work that has been done, and what more we can do with regard to development and competitions.” “I even got emotional in the closing of our workshop because so much has been done in women’s football. At FIFA, across the globe, everywhere. The growth has been incredible and what you will see next year in 2023 will be another massive boost for women’s football.” The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 will kick-off in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau on Thursday, 20 July 2023, and conclude with the Final in Sydney/Gadigal on Sunday, 20 August 2023. Tickets for the FIFA Women’s World Cup are on sale now at FIFA.com/Tickets.
FIFA will achieve its objectives by executing the five strategic pillars:
1. Develop and grow
FIFA will focus on developing the women’s game, both on and off the pitch, at all levels. FIFA will also support member associations in developing football locally, to retain and grow female participation and do all that is necessary to ensure that girls and women have clear pathways to play, administer and govern the game.
3. Communicate and commercialise
FIFA will broaden the exposure of women's football and increase its commercial value. To boost the visibility of women's football and unlock its potential at all levels, FIFA will support its member associations whilst maximising the commercialisation of its own competitions.