Global News

[ad_1] AUCKLAND: The first 32-team Women's World Cup kicks off in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, with the United States favourites to win an unprecedented third consecutive title in a landmark month for women's football. It has been a rapid expansion for a tournament that started in 1991 and featured only 16 teams as recently as 2011, then 24 in France four years ago when the USA retained the trophy. That reflects a dramatic rise in interest in women's football over the last decade beyond its traditional heartland of the United States, and a swarm of European sides will be aiming to snatch their title. Australia, led by the prolific Chelsea forward Sam Kerr , will hope to make the most of home advantage and go all the way to the final in Sydney on August 20. This World Cup is not just bigger in terms of the number of competing nations. FIFA has tripled the prize money compared with 2019 and the total pot, which also covers compensation for clubs releas...

[ad_1] BUENOS AIRES: In Argentina, a country obsessed with football and the proud holder of three World Cup titles, women have yet to be fully welcomed into the beautiful game. With some recent social advances for women in the overwhelmingly Catholic South American country – with elective abortion legalized in 2020 – the game of Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona has slowly started to open up too. But progress has been slow. It was only four years ago, in 2019, that Argentine women's football was declared semi-professional – meaning players can make a partial living off the sport. It is not yet a career. "We suffer abuses and our rights are not respected," says the Pibas con Pelotas (Girls with Balls) organization of players and coaches fighting for equal treatment. With little money for women's soccer, "we continue to wear the clothing left over from male football and we do not have physical space or equipment for training," it states on its webs...

[ad_1] MILAN: Next week's World Cup marks the dawn of a new era for Italy's women with teenage Barcelona midfielder Giulia Dragoni the exciting face of a fresh chapter. Long-time captain Sara Gama, 34, was left out of Milena Bertolini's squad as the Italy coach made space for emerging talent. Dragoni booked her spot on the plane to Australia and New Zealand after impressing on her debut aged 16 as a substitute in a recent goalless draw with Morocco. The youngster is unlikely to start given the stiff competition in a midfield led by Manuela Giugliano, but she could well play a part as Italy try to show that they are better than their dismal display at Euro 2022. Italy surprised by reaching the quarter-finals of the last World Cup – their first for two decades – but finished bottom of their group with one point at the Euro in England. Dragoni was picked alongside another young gun in Fiorentina's 19-year-old Emma Severini, in a squad which features 15 player...

[ad_1] SYDNEY: Flags representing Aboriginal and Maori people will be flown at stadiums hosting Women's World Cup matches in Australia and New Zealand after FIFA agreed to the move on Friday. Gianni Infantino, head of the world governing body, said he recognised the importance of Indigenous populations being part of the showpiece event, which kicks off on July 20. "These significant flags express a spirit of mutual respect, national identity, and recognition of indigenous cultures for our hosts," he said in a statement. Football Australia chief James Johnson said their presence alongside the co-hosts' national flags aligned with the tournament's key message of inclusion. "Confirmation by FIFA that all official flags of Australia will be flown during the women's World Cup is an important moment for all Australians, particularly First Nations people," he said. "This decision aligns with the values of our organisation with diversity ...