In preparation for the upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, team captains will be granted permission to wear Fifa armbands that draw attention to important social causes.
Fifa aims to leverage the tournament’s expected global television audience of two billion viewers as a platform to raise awareness about various social issues. These causes encompass a wide range, including gender equality and the fight against domestic violence.
Captains will have three armband options available to them. They can choose to wear the “Football Unites the World” armband throughout the entire tournament. Alternatively, they can select an armband aligned with a specific social theme of their choice or opt for an armband reflecting the theme of the matchday.
This initiative by Fifa is a proactive response to avoid a situation similar to the controversy surrounding the ‘OneLove’ rainbow armbands worn during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar.
Gianni Infantino, the president of Fifa, expressed the organization’s rationale behind this decision, stating, “Following extensive discussions with various stakeholders, including member associations and players, we have decided to use the Fifa Women’s World Cup, comprising 64 matches, to shine a spotlight on a range of social causes. These causes encompass inclusion, gender equality, peace, hunger eradication, education, and combating domestic violence.”
Hassan Al-Thawadi, the World Cup chief for Qatar, had previously criticized European nations’ desire to wear ‘OneLove’ captain’s armbands during the 2022 men’s World Cup, considering it a divisive message.
The Women’s World Cup, heralded as the premier women’s sporting event, will commence on July 20th, featuring an opening ceremony at Eden Park, Auckland, followed by a match between New Zealand and Norway. The tournament’s grand finale will take place at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20th.
Anticipating the issue of armbands highlighting social causes, Sarina Wiegman, the head coach of the England team, expressed her confidence in finding a positive resolution. Additionally, England midfielder Georgia Stanway confirmed that the players have received Wiegman’s full support in wearing the armbands during the tournament in Australia.
Stanway shared her perspective, saying, “I believe that we have reached a point where individuals can express their opinions freely, and we have the ability to advocate for what we believe in. Sarina is completely behind us. Whatever decision we make, Sarina stands by us, and we stand together.”
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about women’s World Cup armbands
What is the significance of the armbands worn by team captains at the 2023 Women’s World Cup?
The armbands worn by team captains at the 2023 Women’s World Cup serve as a platform to highlight social issues. They promote causes such as gender equality, inclusivity, and tackling domestic violence, aiming to raise awareness and foster positive change within the global football community.
How many options do the team captains have for the armbands?
Team captains have three options for the armbands. They can choose to wear a “Football Unites the World” armband throughout the entire tournament. Alternatively, they can select an armband aligned with a specific social theme of their choice or opt for an armband reflecting the theme of the matchday.
Why did FIFA introduce these armbands?
FIFA introduced these armbands to utilize the platform of the Women’s World Cup, which garners a massive global television audience, to promote important social causes. Following discussions with stakeholders, including member associations and players, FIFA decided to highlight a series of social issues, ranging from gender equality to tackling domestic violence, during all 64 matches of the tournament.
What prompted FIFA to take this initiative?
The initiative was prompted by the desire to avoid a repeat of the controversy surrounding the ‘OneLove’ rainbow armbands worn during the 2022 men’s World Cup in Qatar. FIFA recognized the importance of addressing social causes in a proactive and inclusive manner, creating an opportunity for captains to support and raise awareness about various social issues through their armbands.
When and where will the 2023 Women’s World Cup take place?
The 2023 Women’s World Cup will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. It is scheduled to begin on July 20th, with the opening ceremony at Eden Park, Auckland, followed by a match between New Zealand and Norway. The tournament will conclude with the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20th.
More about women’s World Cup armbands
- FIFA Women’s World Cup Official Website
- FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s statement on social causes at Women’s World Cup
- 2023 Women’s World Cup Co-hosts Australia and New Zealand
5 comments
wow, this is great! the 2023 women’s world cup sounds amazing! i luv that they can wear armbands for social issues. so important! go captains!
fifa finally did something right! about time they use such a big event to make a difference. hope they address important issues like gender equality and domestic violence. let’s support the women’s world cup!
this is gonna be epic! can’t wait to see those armbands on the field. hope they raise awareness and make a real impact. go teams, show the world what women’s soccer is all about!
armbands? really? why don’t they focus on the game instead? who cares about social causes? just play soccer and entertain us! too much politics in sports these days.
i’m so proud of the captains and fifa for doing this. my daughter plays soccer and it’s great for her to see role models fighting for important causes. can’t wait to watch the women’s world cup!