Women’s national sides can use upcoming FIFA tournament competitions to highlight concerns about governance and equality, as criticism directed towards president Gianni Infantino continues to grow, ahead of the World Cup tournaments due this calendar year.
As the clock counts down towards both September’s Under-20 Women’s World Cup in Chile and October’s Under-17 showpiece tournament in India, as well as next year’s Women’s World Cup playoff matches, the question arises of a possible boycott amid widespread dissent surrounding Fifa’s direction and decision-making.
The prospect of a boycott has received the endorsement of England defender Lucy Bronze, who suggested the positive long-term implications of a protest in support of women’s sport were compelling.
A recent report highlighting the inequalities in representation on Fifa’s influential council, which has just eight female members in 37, as well as a disciplinary committee with just two women among its 18, would strengthen calls for a boycott.
Women’s prize money at World Cup events has also been under fire, after teams to compete at this summer’s men’s World Cup received roughly £700m ($871m) while this year’s women’s tournament awarded £87.7m ($110m) between its 32 teams.
Infantino has invested and invested positively in women’s football since his appointment in 2016 – though significant disparities persist. The debate has also gathered momentum following news of the withdrawal of recognition from Infantino by the Football Federation of Samoa, which recently called on FIFA to address issues of accountability and governance.
