October 10 – FIFA has launched a major initiative to expand the women’s game worldwide with the unveiling of the governing body’s first-ever ‘global strategy’ for the women’s game, with the aim of creating an international women’s club competition and doubling the participation of women in the game to 60 million by 2026.
By Samindra Kunti
October 9 – The Netherlands and Switzerland have taken pole positions to reach next month’s play-off final for the last European qualifying spot for the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. In the first legs of the play-offs the European champions defeated Denmark 2-0 on home soil while the Swiss came back twice to draw 2-2 in Belgium.
October 5 – FIFA’s competitions committee has proposed an increase in prize money for the upcoming Women’s World Cup in France next year. The amount of the increase has not been disclosed but the proposal has now been sent to the finance committee for review before it presented to the FIFA Council for approval.
October 2 – Despite resisting the idea in the past over misplaced beliefs that they could lose their independence within FIFA, Britain’s four football associations have agreed to allow a combined women’s team to try to qualify for the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
September 20 – The second AFC Women’s Football Development Seminar finished today at the AFC’s Kuala Lumpur headquarters. The three days saw 74 women’s football experts from 39 AFC member associations take part in a series of discussions and presentations.
September 20 – Ticketing for the 2019 Women’s World Cup France was launched in Paris yesterday at the Montparnasse Tower. The 24-team championship, in its eighth edition, will be played from June 7 to July 7.
September 19 – FIFA has produced a Women’s Transfer report for the first time, tracking professional female player movement using data from its ITMS (international transfer match system) for the first time.
September 10 – The revamped FA Women’s Super League kicked off its two divisions this weekend with Arsenal putting five goals past Liverpool, while Manchester United Women, making their debut in the second tier, slammed 12 unanswered goals past Aston Villa.
September 4 – The Puerto Rican women’s team have protested against their working conditions in a friendly international against Argentina, demanding the Puerto Rican FA (FPF) improve basic amenities so the team can reach its longterm goal of becoming internationally competitive.
August 20 – Hardcore fans of Lazio have caused outrage by circulating a flier saying women should be banned from part of the Curva Nord of Rome’s Olympic Stadium described by supporters as their “sacred space”.
August 16 – The Women’s U-20 World Cup has reached the business end of the competition with heavyweight quarter-finals set to decide the last four. Hosts France take on reigning champions Korea DPR, Spain meet Nigeria and Germany face Japan. Debutants the Netherlands play England in the last quarter-final.
August 6 – France kicked off the U-20 Women’s World Cup on home soil with an emphatic 4-1 win over Ghana, on an opening day of the tournament held plenty of surprises with defending champions DPR Korea slipping to defeat against England, debutants the Netherlands defeating New Zealand and Mexico recording a first-ever win over Brazil.
July 30 – Barcelona’s women’s team have secured the biggest shirt sponsorship deal to date for a women’s team, according to the club. Stanley Black & Decker have become the team’s first shirt sponsor in a 3-year deal starting this season.
July 30 – Liverpool have rebranded their women’s team from Liverpool Ladies to Liverpool FC Women in time for the start of the revamped Women’s Super League that kicks off September 8/9.
July 25 – Spain’s national federation (RFEF) has created a new second tier league for its women’s clubs with the aim of promoting and strengthening the women’s game in the country.