FIFA is proposing a competition for 16 of the world's top women's football national sides.getty images
FIFA President Gianni Infantino will ask members of his exec council to "approve plans for a new global women's league this week," according to Tariq Panja of the N.Y. TIMES. The proposed competition would feature 16 of the world’s top women’s national teams and begin play in '20. FIFA also plans to add four regional leagues to "encourage the development" of women’s football globally and to "allow the best performers from those regions a chance to win promotion" to the top division in a system of promotion and relegation. The move is "part of an effort to increase the visibility, quality and appeal" of women’s football and to "boost Infantino’s standing" before his bid for re-election next year. Investing in the women’s game was a "plank" in Infantino’s campaign platform in '15. Under the format, the 16 teams will be divided into four groups and play in "minitournaments" before the winners "face off in semifinals and a final to determine a champion." With few opportunities for women around the world to play professionally, the "overwhelming majority of countries have struggled to field teams that can legitimately compete with the five or so best teams in the world." The new event would "give countries that have not had a chance to host a FIFA-branded event the opportunity to hold one, something that plays well for Infantino as he prepares to run for a second term." Members briefed on the plans for the women's game "have not been provided with any financial projections for the tournament, or a commercial strategy." While FIFA has made women's football a "focus," there "remains much work to be done on developing a strategy for the game" (N.Y. TIMES, 3/15).
