Zurich: In alignment with FIFA’s dedication to making the sport accessible to everyone, the FIFA Unites: Women’s Series is set to commence in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, from Thursday, 23 October to Wednesday, 29 October this year.
This landmark four-team women’s football tournament underscores FIFA’s commitment to advocating for and safeguarding the rights of all women and girls to engage in the sport, chase their football aspirations, and flourish through the game. This event will also signify the inaugural participation of the Afghan women’s refugee team in an international tournament, a groundbreaking initiative spearheaded by FIFA and a significant advancement in the realm of sports.
The Afghan team will compete against the national teams of Chad, Libya, and the United Arab Emirates. Competing on home soil, the UAE team – under the guidance of the highly experienced Dutch coach Vera Pauw – aims to capitalize on their recent advancements, while the teams from Chad and Libya are eager to achieve their first appearances in the FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Ranking.
“Ensuring that all women have access to football is a priority for FIFA and a key element in shaping the future of our sport,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
“We are aware of the potential the game has both on and off the pitch. These friendly matches represent more than just a competition; they are a symbol of hope and progress for women all over the world. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who are contributing to this event, including the United Arab Emirates Football Association for hosting a historic event that puts the players in the international spotlight.”
To be staged during the upcoming Type II window of the Women’s International Match Calendar, the series organised by FIFA, which involves a round-robin format, will see each team contest three matches. The side with the most points will be declared the winners. All the matches will be streamed live on FIFA+ for a global audience.
