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Tag: FIFA Women's World Cup

  • World Cup winner to get $50M from richer prize pool, half of Chelsea’s payday at Club World Cup

    MANCHESTER, England — The winner of the 2026 World Cup will receive $50 million from a $655 million prize pool, FIFA said Wednesday in announcing record financial rewards for teams in a tournament with ticket prices that have sparked outcries.

    The champion’s figure is up from $42 million won by Argentina in 2022 and $38 million gained by France in 2018 but less than half of what Chelsea earned for winning the much less-hyped Club World Cup this year.

    The total prize fund for the World Cup, staged in the United States, Canada and Mexico from June 11 to July 19, is up 48.9% from the $440 million for the 2022 tournament in Qatar.

    The 2026 total will be nearly six times the $110 million in prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. FIFA president Gianni Infantino in 2023 set a target of equal prize money for men and women at their next World Cups — the next women’s tournament is scheduled for 2027 in Brazil.

    The Club World Cup, controversially expanded from seven teams to 32 and shoehorned into the soccer calendar last summer, had a total prize fund of $1 billion. Chelsea won the top prize of up to $125 million for a tournament that faced fierce resistance from players and leagues and drew sparse crowds for some matches.

    FIFA has a different distribution model for the national team and club tournaments, with the disparity in prize money reflecting factors such as clubs with higher wage costs than national teams.

    Beyond prize money, further funds are put toward development of soccer globally.

    Infantino said the World Cup will be “groundbreaking in terms of its financial contribution to the global football community.”

    World soccer’s governing body approved the prize money at a meeting of its council in Doha. FIFA in March projected revenue for its current four-year cycle through 2026 at $13 billion, up from $7.5 billion for 2019-22.

    Each of the 48 national federations at the expanded 2026 World Cup will receive $1.5 million for preparation costs and $9 million for participating in the group stage, the same as for the 2022 tournament.

    Teams advancing to the new round of 32 get $11 million and those reaching the round of 16 receive $15 million. Nations reaching the quarterfinals are paid $19 million, the fourth-place team $27 million, the third-place team $29 million and the final loser $33 million.

    Including participation fees, FIFA will distribute $727 million to the 48 federations.

    Each federation decides what to pay its players. The French sports daily L’Equipe reported France players were in line for a bonus of $586,000 by their federation if they won the trophy in 2022. France was ultimately beaten by Argentina in the final.

    The U.S. Soccer Federation’s 2022 collective bargaining agreements with the unions for its men’s and women’s national teams call for prize money for men in 2026 and women in 2027 to be pooled together, and 80% of the money to be distributed among the players.

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    AP Sports Writer Ronald Blum in New York contributed to this report.

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    James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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    AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

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  • Orlando named in joint bid for 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup

    Orlando could potentially return to hosting World Cup soccer games in the coming years.On Friday, FIFA announced that the bid books to host the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups were submitted. A joint bid from the soccer federations of the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica to co-host the 2031 edition was included in Tuesday’s announcement. Orlando was named one of over 35 cities across the bidding countries vying to host 2031 World Cup games at Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium. “We are honored that both Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium have been selected to advance in U.S. Soccer’s bid book for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “This important next step in the process reflects the strength of our regional partnerships and the collective commitment of Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride, Orlando Venues, the City of Orlando, Orange County, and Visit Orlando to showcasing world-class soccer.” Orlando previously hosted six games of the FIFA Club World Cup last summer at both Inter&Co and Camping World Stadiums.Orlando leaders expressed their desire to host games in the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year following a visit to Orlando from FIFA president Gianni Infantino. During that visit, Infantino told reporters, “If the results of this test, of this Club World Cup that takes place now are positive, which I’m convinced they will be, with not just full stadiums, but also a welcoming atmosphere in the city to welcome the fans from all over the world, then I think that the prerogatives and the conditions for being a host city in Women’s World Cup in 2031 will certainly be met.”Related: Big test for Orlando’s Women’s World Cup hopes Orlando last hosted World Cup games last summer with the Club World Cup edition and previously the Men’s World Cup in 1994 at the then-Citrus Bowl, now Camping World Stadium. Caesar Lopez, the COO and general counsel for Orlando City Soccer Club, told WESH 2 last April that the club will be aggressively pushing for a 2031 bid.”We are more than excited about the opportunity to host and an honor to have a prestigious tournament like the Women’s World Cup in our market,” Lopez said. “We’ve had the success of our game really explode with the 1994 World Cup, and now having it again, an opportunity to be a catalyst for the women’s game, would be an amazing opportunity. We’re going to be aggressive about it. We want to make sure we serve our community and fans with the best soccer in the world.”A final decision on the hosting rights for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup is expected following FIFA’s Congress scheduled for April 30, 2026. The USA-Mexico-Costa Rica-Jamaica bid was the only one submitted. The host city selection will be made after the tournament is awarded to the bidding nation, according to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. Orlando City of Major League Soccer and the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League currently play at Inter&Co Stadium. Camping World Stadium, which will likely don a new name once its existing naming rights expire at the end of the year, has also hosted international soccer games throughout the year. Camping World Stadium is expecting to undergo a $400 million renovation with construction starting in December. Renovation to the stadium will increase capacity to a minimum of 65,000, among other things. Mike Gramajo is an Assignment Editor and Sportswriter at WESH 2, who has covered the Orlando soccer scene since 2012. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.

    Orlando could potentially return to hosting World Cup soccer games in the coming years.

    On Friday, FIFA announced that the bid books to host the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups were submitted.

    A joint bid from the soccer federations of the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica to co-host the 2031 edition was included in Tuesday’s announcement.

    Orlando was named one of over 35 cities across the bidding countries vying to host 2031 World Cup games at Inter&Co Stadium and Camping World Stadium.

    “We are honored that both Camping World Stadium and Inter&Co Stadium have been selected to advance in U.S. Soccer’s bid book for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” said Jason Siegel, President & CEO of the Greater Orlando Sports Commission. “This important next step in the process reflects the strength of our regional partnerships and the collective commitment of Orlando City SC and Orlando Pride, Orlando Venues, the City of Orlando, Orange County, and Visit Orlando to showcasing world-class soccer.”

    Orlando previously hosted six games of the FIFA Club World Cup last summer at both Inter&Co and Camping World Stadiums.

    Orlando leaders expressed their desire to host games in the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup earlier this year following a visit to Orlando from FIFA president Gianni Infantino.

    During that visit, Infantino told reporters, “If the results of this test, of this Club World Cup that takes place now are positive, which I’m convinced they will be, with not just full stadiums, but also a welcoming atmosphere in the city to welcome the fans from all over the world, then I think that the prerogatives and the conditions for being a host city in Women’s World Cup in 2031 will certainly be met.”

    Related: Big test for Orlando’s Women’s World Cup hopes

    Orlando last hosted World Cup games last summer with the Club World Cup edition and previously the Men’s World Cup in 1994 at the then-Citrus Bowl, now Camping World Stadium.

    Getty ImagesShaun Botterill – FIFA

    Caesar Lopez, the COO and general counsel for Orlando City Soccer Club, told WESH 2 last April that the club will be aggressively pushing for a 2031 bid.

    “We are more than excited about the opportunity to host and an honor to have a prestigious tournament like the Women’s World Cup in our market,” Lopez said. “We’ve had the success of our game really explode with the 1994 World Cup, and now having it again, an opportunity to be a catalyst for the women’s game, would be an amazing opportunity. We’re going to be aggressive about it. We want to make sure we serve our community and fans with the best soccer in the world.”

    A final decision on the hosting rights for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup is expected following FIFA’s Congress scheduled for April 30, 2026.

    The USA-Mexico-Costa Rica-Jamaica bid was the only one submitted.

    The host city selection will be made after the tournament is awarded to the bidding nation, according to the Greater Orlando Sports Commission.

    Orlando City of Major League Soccer and the Orlando Pride of the National Women’s Soccer League currently play at Inter&Co Stadium.

    Camping World Stadium, which will likely don a new name once its existing naming rights expire at the end of the year, has also hosted international soccer games throughout the year.

    Camping World Stadium is expecting to undergo a $400 million renovation with construction starting in December.

    Renovation to the stadium will increase capacity to a minimum of 65,000, among other things.

    Mike Gramajo is an Assignment Editor and Sportswriter at WESH 2, who has covered the Orlando soccer scene since 2012. You can follow his coverage over on X and Instagram.

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  • Frito-Lay upgrades FIFA sponsorship with fan awards at men’s and women’s World Cups

    Frito-Lay upgrades FIFA sponsorship with fan awards at men’s and women’s World Cups

    ZURICH — Texas-based snacks maker Frito-Lay will be a global sponsor for the next men’s and women’s World Cups and back a “fan of the match” award at every game, FIFA said on Thursday.

    Frito-Lay upgrades its previous FIFA deals as a third-tier North American sponsor — for the men’s World Cup in 2022 and the Women’s World Cup last year — to become a second-tier global sponsor.

    The value of the deals was not disclosed. They cover the men’s 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and the 2027 women’s tournament in Brazil.

    FIFA has budgeted to earn total marketing revenue of $2.7 billion for all of its tournaments from 2023-26, and has six top-tier commercial partners for the next men’s edition in 2026.

    The Frito-Lay sponsorships “will break new ground at both tournaments by recognizing and rewarding the fan of the match at every match, spotlighting those in the stands whose passion and energy bring the beautiful game to life,” FIFA said.

    The Lays brand has been a sponsor of the Champions League in Europe since 2015 with its parent company PepsiCo.

    The FIFA deal covers just the Frito-Lay brands, which include Doritos, Cheetos, Cracker Jack and Quaker, because Coca-Cola is a top-tier World Cup partner through 2030.

    Joining with FIFA ahead of the 2022 World Cup was “a great way for us to talk directly to the Hispanic community,” Frito-Lay, which has headquarters in Plano, Texas, has said.

    Its signature commercial for that World Cup in Qatar featured David Beckham and Peyton Manning in a mock argument about “football or soccer.”

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  • Global players’ union builds on FIFA regulations with a guide for expectant mothers

    Global players’ union builds on FIFA regulations with a guide for expectant mothers

    When Cheyna Matthews got pregnant with her first child back in 2018, she had a lot of questions.

    In addition to concerns about her legal rights as a professional soccer player, how would she manage pregnancy and the birth? And, importantly, when could she safely play again?

    “We play a lot of times because we love it. But now it’s also providing the financial security. So when you’re thinking of having children it’s like, `OK, I also have to figure out how I can get back to work.’ And when you’re working with your body, it’s one of the most important things,” Matthews said.

    In an effort to give players and teams alike a guide for best practices surrounding maternity, global players’ union FIFPRO released a guide on Tuesday that covers how to manage pregnancy, what to expect in childbirth and how to prepare for a return to soccer.

    Matthews, who retired from pro soccer in 2023, along with United States left back Crystal Dunn, Germany goalkeeper Almuth Schult and Iceland midfielder Sara Bjork Gunnarsdottir, helped devise FIFPRO’s “Postpartum Return to Play Guide.”

    The protocol builds on FIFA’s groundbreaking regulations concerning maternity and parental rights that were first enacted in 2021 and expanded earlier this year.

    Dr. Alex Culvin, FIFPRO director of policy and strategic relations for women’s soccer, said FIFA’s new regulations and the protections that were put in place increased the likelihood that more players would feel comfortable starting families during their playing careers, but there was very little guidance about what pregnancy, childbirth and recovery looked like.

    “There is this perceived incompatibility, not just in football, in sport more generally, that you can’t have a child and be an athlete. And actually there are players out there who have disproven this on a daily basis,” Culvin said. “So we wanted to kind of bring all of this together, and elevate and listen to the player voice, centralize their experiences alongside experts on the scientific literature, and create something that hadn’t been produced before, with the FIFPRO stamp on it.”

    The medical professionals who contributed to the guide were Dr. Pippa Bennett of the U.K. Sports Institute, Dr. Rita Tomas, the team physician for the Portuguese women’s national team, professor Kirsty Elliott-Sale with the Manchester Metropolitan University’s Institute of Sport, and FIFPRO Chief Medial Officer Dr. Vincent Gouttebarge.

    Matthews, who played in the 2019 and 2023 Women’s World Cup for Jamaica, has three sons with husband Jordan Matthews, a tight end for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers.

    She had her first child when she was with the Washington Spirit in the National Women’s Soccer League. She was among the league’s first players to have a child at what would be considered the peak of her playing career. Nine months after she gave birth, she played for Jamacia at the Women’s World Cup.

    Matthews said she was lucky to have both a national team and club team that supported her before the FIFA regulations and the NWSL’s collective bargaining agreement were adopted.

    “We are seeing more pregnancies, and I’ve had a lot of players coming to me asking questions, and I’ve been able to kind of help just from my experiences,” Matthews said. “But to have this guideline just from the initial finding out that you’re pregnant — even that experience itself, you have so many thoughts, so many ideas. What do I do? But having a guideline for the players, it does ease the stress.”

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  • Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

    Canada faces more allegations of drone use as scandal widens

    MARSEILLE, France — Embattled Canada women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman apologized to her players Sunday and pledged to cooperate with an investigation into the drone-spying scandal at the Paris Olympics.

    The team was deducted six points and Priestman was banned for a year after two of her assistants were caught using drones to spy on New Zealand’s practices before their opening game Wednesday.

    “I am absolutely heartbroken for the players, and I would like to apologize from the bottom of my heart for the impact this situation has had on all of them,” Priestman said in a statement. “As the leader of the team on the field, I want to take accountability, and I plan to fully cooperate with the investigation.”

    Priestman led Canada to the Olympic title in Tokyo in 2021, but her reputation has been marred by the scandal, which has raised questions about the practices of the country’s men’s and women’s soccer teams and how widespread the issue could be.

    She also apologized to Canada as a nation, but appeared to try to defend her legacy.

    “This program and team have allowed this country to reach the pinnacle of women’s soccer, and their winning of the gold medal was earned through sheer grit and determination, despite reports to the contrary,” she said. “I fought with every ounce of my being to make this program better, much of which will never be known or understood. I wish I could say more, but I will refrain at this time, given the appeals process and the ongoing investigation.”

    It has emerged that a complaint against the women’s team for filming an opponent’s training session was made at the 2022 CONCACAF W Championship, which served as a qualification tournament for last summer’s Women’s World Cup.

    The revelation is part of the fallout of the drone scandal.

    FIFA banned Priestman — who had already been sent home from France — two of her coaches and imposed a hefty $226,000 fine on Canada Soccer.

    Canada was looking into an appeal, but said they suspected a “systemic ethical shortcoming.”

    Also Sunday, Canada sports minister Carla Qualtrough said the government will withhold funding “relating to suspended Canada Soccer officials for the duration of their FIFA sanction.” Drone surveillance of a closed practice, she said, “is cheating.” She called the episode a “significant distraction and embarrassment” for all Canadians.

    Canada Soccer CEO and general secretary Kevin Blue said this week he learned of a possible drone incident involving the men’s national team at the recent Copa America.

    He said it was his understanding that it did not have an impact on the competitive integrity of the tournament but would not offer details.

    Asked whether men’s coach Jesse Marsch was aware of possible drone usage at that tournament that ended this month in the United States, Blue said Marsch was aware after the fact and has “denounced it as a practice to his staff.” Canada lost in the Copa semifinals to Argentina 2-0.

    A CONCACAF official confirmed a complaint at the 2022 W Championship but offered few details. The United States defeated Canada in the tournament final in Mexico, with both countries earning a berth in the Women’s World Cup and Olympics.

    The Sports Network in Canada reported other incidents of surveillance, including at the Tokyo Games, citing unnamed sources with knowledge of the filming.

    FIFA declined comment when asked by the AP if the matter would lead to a wider investigation into drone spying in soccer.

    The case is an embarrassment for the Canadian federation, which is teaming with the United States and Mexico to host the 2026 men’s World Cup across North America.

    Meanwhile, Canada’s sanctions are likely heading for the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s special Olympic court in Paris.

    Canada Soccer and the Canadian Olympic Committee said late Saturday that they planned to appeal the points deduction, which make it difficult, but not impossible for Canada’s women to advance to the knockout round.

    “We feel terrible for the athletes on the Canadian women’s Olympic soccer team who as far as we understand played no role in this matter,” David Shoemaker, the Olympic committee’s CEO and secretary general, said in a statement. “In support of the athletes, together with Canada Soccer, we are exploring rights of appeal related to the six-point deduction at this Olympic tournament.”

    Canada was set to play host France on Sunday night in Saint-Etienne. Interim coach Andy Spence is leading the team, along with assistant Neil Wood and goalkeepers coach Jen Herst.

    “There’s no training for this,” Spence said at practice on Saturday. “I’ve been asked to lead and that’s what I’m going to do to my very best capabilities.”

    The Canadians won their opener 2-1 over New Zealand and have three points.

    It is possible with a win against France and another against Colombia in the final group match Wednesday that the Canadian team could advance even with the deduction.

    Former national team player Diana Matheson said in a social media post that “Canadians are with you. … Take 6 points away from us? Fine, let’s go get 9.”

    The scandal erupted in the days leading up to the Olympic tournament when New Zealand complained about drones flying over practice. Two team staff members, assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi, were sent home.

    Priestman initially removed herself from the opener but was later suspended for the tournament.

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  • National Women’s Soccer League announces new media deal with CBS, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps’ ION

    National Women’s Soccer League announces new media deal with CBS, ESPN, Prime Video and Scripps’ ION

    The National Women’s Soccer League on Thursday announced a new media rights deal that will feature the league’s matches on ESPN, CBS Sports, Amazon Prime Video and Scripps Sports.

    “These partners believe in our future. They believe in our players, they believe in what we can be,” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said. “We’re resetting the standards by which women’s sports can be valued.”

    The league’s current deal with CBS Sports ends at the end of this season. The new media rights package runs through 2027 and is worth $60 million annually.

    Saturday night’s NWSL championship between Gotham FC and OL Reign will air on CBS. The network will continue to broadcast the championship game as part of the new agreement.

    “We’re going to make sure, along with these other partners, that this league keeps getting more and more exposure, more and more promotion, more and more branding and that we grow this sport and this league,” Sean McManus, chairman of CBS Sports, said during a news conference announcing the deal in San Diego.

    Starting next season, a Friday night game on Prime Video will kick off each weekend. Each Saturday night will include a double-header on Scripps’ over-the-air ION network.

    A package of at least 21 regular-season games will stream live on Paramount+, CBS Sports Network or CBS.

    Another package of 20 games with air across ESPN’s platforms, including ABC, ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.

    The remaining regular season games will be part of a domestic direct-to-consumer package produced and distributed by the NWSL, the league said. That could include deals for stations in the league’s local markets to air games.

    In the playoffs, Prime Video and a CBS platform will each broadcast a quarterfinal each, while ESPN/ABC airs the other two. ESPN/ABC and a CBS platform will each have a semifinal game.

    Berman said the NWSL didn’t want to be behind a league-specific paywall to allow fans more ways to discover and watch the games.

    “I think we’re taking advantage in a very positive way of all the different ways to reach consumers,” she said.

    The NWSL has been working with Endeavor, a global sports and entertainment marketing firm, which has partnerships with the NHL and the NFL. Endeavor is also the league’s data and international streaming provider.

    The NWSL is in its 11th season. Next year the league will expand to 14 teams with the addition of the Utah Royals and Bay FC.

    Earlier this year, Berman reported that viewership on CBS and its streaming affiliate Paramount+ was up 21 percent year-over-year to last season.

    Megan Rapinoe’s farewell match for OL Reign in Seattle averaged 683,000 viewers on CBS last month, becoming the most watched regular-season NWSL game ever. The match also drew a record 34,134 fans to Lumen Field.

    Rapinoe will retire from soccer following Saturday’s championship, as will Gotham defender Ali Krieger. Both have won a pair of Women’s World Cups with the U.S. national team, but never an NWSL title.

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  • Australia says it won’t bid for the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia likely to host

    Australia says it won’t bid for the 2034 World Cup, Saudi Arabia likely to host

    Football Australia says it won’t bid for the 2034 World Cup, clearing the way for Saudi Arabia to host the marquee men’s tournament

    ByThe Associated Press

    October 31, 2023, 3:32 AM

    FILE – FIFA President Gianni Infantino, right, walks with Minister for State Owned Enterprises Erick Thohir upon arrival for a meeting with Indonesian President Joko Widodo at Merdeka Palace in Jakarta, Indonesia, Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. Indonesian soccer federation leader Erick Thohir says it now supports Saudi Arabia’s bid to host the 2034 World Cup. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim, File)

    The Associated Press

    MELBOURNE, Australia — Football Australia on Tuesday said it won’t bid for the 2034 World Cup, clearing the way for Saudi Arabia to host the men’s marquee tournament.

    The chances of Australia hosting the 2034 event appeared unlikely after the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) backed the Saudi bid on Oct. 5.

    Indonesia’s association initially showed interest in a joint bid with Australia, potentially alongside Malaysia and Singapore, but that faded when Indonesia instead backed Saudi Arabia.

    “We have explored the opportunity to bid to host the FIFA World Cup and — having taken all factors into consideration — we have reached the conclusion not to do so for the 2034 competition,” Football Australia said in a statement.

    Australia will instead attempt to secure hosting rights for the 2029 Club World Cup and the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup.

    “We believe we are in a strong position to host the oldest women’s international competition in the world, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026, and then welcome the greatest teams in world for the 2029 FIFA Club World Cup,” the FA statement said.

    Australia and New Zealand successfully co-hosted the Women’s World Cup in July and August. Brisbane, Queensland state, is due to become the third Australian city to host the Olympics when it stages the 2032 Summer Games.

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  • Pay dispute between England women’s international players and FA appears to be resolved

    Pay dispute between England women’s international players and FA appears to be resolved

    England women’s players appear to have reached an agreement with the country’s soccer federation regarding a dispute over bonuses and commercial structures

    ByThe Associated Press

    September 21, 2023, 8:35 AM

    England’s head coach Sarina Wiegman holds a trophy for the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year for 2022/23 after the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League group stage draw at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

    The Associated Press

    LONDON — Players from the England women’s team appear to have reached an agreement with the country’s soccer federation regarding a dispute over bonuses and commercial structures.

    England captain Millie Bright said at a news conference on Thursday that the players “feel really confident moving forward about the structure we now have in place” with the Football Association. Exact details of the agreement have yet to be officially announced.

    In a statement released before the recent Women’s World Cup in Australia, the England squad expressed disappointment at the dispute having not been resolved before the tournament and said the players had decided to pause talks with the intention of revisiting them.

    Players from teams at the World Cup were due to receive individual payments directly from FIFA for the first time, ranging from $30,000 to $270,00 depending on what stage of the tournament they reached.

    England players didn’t receive any payments from the FA, reportedly because the governing body perceived payments coming from FIFA to be enough.

    There is also believed to be frustration over a commercial strategy which players feel limits their ability to earn extra money from sponsorship.

    “We’ve had a really good conversation with the FA,” Bright said. “We have come to an agreement, but I think it’s bigger than just the bonus.

    “For us it’s about being world leaders on and off the pitch, and as we know the women’s game is evolving very quickly and conversations like this need to happen in order to make sure in all areas we’re at the top of our game.”

    England lost to Spain in the World Cup final, a year after the team coached by Sarina Wiegman won the European Championship for the first time.

    England’s first match since the World Cup is against Scotland on Friday in the inaugural Women’s Nations League.

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  • Most of Spain’s female players end boycott of national soccer team after government intervenes

    Most of Spain’s female players end boycott of national soccer team after government intervenes

    MADRID — Most of Spain‘s World Cup-winning players ended their boycott of the women’s national team early Wednesday after the government intervened to help shape an agreement that was expected to lead to immediate structural changes at the country’s soccer federation.

    Only two players, who had not been immediately named, opted to leave the team’s training camp after receiving guarantees from the government that they would not be sanctioned, with the rest staying after being told that some of their demands for reform would be met.

    Players had reported to camp on Tuesday after being picked by new coach Montse Tomé against their will on Monday in the latest twist in the crisis that engulfed Spanish soccer after former federation president Luis Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony following Spain’s Women’s World Cup title in Australia last month.

    Specific details of the changes agreed upon were not revealed following the hours-long meetings involving the government’s top sports official, players, Tomé and federation officials. The meetings ended at nearly 5 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) on Wednesday.

    Víctor Francos, Spain’s Secretary for Sports and president of the Higher Council for Sports, said the “cordial meetings” led to the creation of a committee involving players, the federation and the government.

    He said the agreements should promote advances in gender policies and equal pay, as well as lead to structural changes in women’s soccer. It was not clear, though, if any firings would take place in the federation.

    Among the demands by the players was to have interim president Pedro Rocha, who took over after Rubiales’ resignation, to also step down.

    Francos said that the names of the two players who decided to leave would be later revealed by the federation.

    “They asked to leave the camp because they were not motivated and did not feel comfortable,” Francos said. “I hope that they will be respected just as the other players who decided to stay.”

    Officials said the players did not call for new coach Tomé to step down. Tomé was an assistant to former coach Jorge Vilda at the World Cup, replacing him after he was fired.

    On Monday, Tomé picked nearly half of the 39 players who said they would not play for the national team until their demands were met, including 15 World Cup-winning players. Hermoso was not among them as “a way to protect her,” Tomé said. The player, who said she did not consent to the kiss by Rubiales, had accused the federation of trying to intimidate her teammates by picking them for the national team against their will.

    The squad announcement had been originally planned for Friday but was postponed because no agreement had been reached with the players.

    The players said they were caught by surprise by the squad announced but showed up to camp because otherwise they risked breaking a Spanish sports law that requires athletes to answer the call of national teams unless there are circumstances that impede them from playing, such as an injury.

    Not responding to a call-up by a national team can expose a player to fines or even being banned from playing for their clubs. Those punishments would have to be requested by the federation to the government’s sports council, which would decide whether to apply them.

    The government said after the meetings that it would not seek any punishment for the players who decided to leave.

    Last year, 15 players rebelled against Vilda asking for a more professional environment. Tomé included in her first list some of the players who rebelled.

    Spain will play Nations League games against Sweden on Friday and Switzerland on Sept. 26.

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  • With Rubiales finally out, Spanish soccer ready to leave embarrassing chapter behind

    With Rubiales finally out, Spanish soccer ready to leave embarrassing chapter behind

    Spanish soccer is ready to move forward, three weeks after its women’s team won the Women’s World Cup but had its celebrations marred by a kiss that ignited a crisis.

    Luis Rubiales, the Spanish soccer federation president who kissed a player on the lips without her consent during the trophy ceremony in Australia last month, resigned late Sunday following weeks of relentless pressure from inside the sport and Spanish society in general.

    The decision, which many in the country had been hoping to see much earlier, was expected to help Spanish soccer start overcoming one of its most embarrassing chapters. It should also clear the way for Spain to get back on track with its bid to host the men’s World Cup in 2030 along with Portugal, Morocco and possibly Ukraine.

    “It’s over,” Irene Montero, the acting minister of equality in Spain, wrote on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter.

    Rubiales had been widely criticized after he kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the Women’s World Cup final on Aug. 20 in Sydney. Hermoso said the kiss was without her consent.

    Rubiales had been expected to resign at an emergency general meeting of the federation shortly after the World Cup final, but instead said he was victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists.”

    His defiant stand did not make the problem go away.

    “The feminist country is advancing faster and faster,” Yolanda Díaz, Spain’s acting Deputy Prime Minister, wrote on X after Rubiales made his resignation public. “The transformation and improvement of our lives is inevitable. We are with you, Jenni, and with all women.”

    Rubiales had been without public supporters other than his mother, who held a short-lived hunger strike in a church in southern Spain. His own federation also publicly asked him to step down and one of his biggest supporters, women’s team coach Jorge Vilda, was fired last week.

    Pedro Rocha has been in charge of the federation since Rubiales was provisionally suspended by FIFA, the governing body of world soccer. The Spanish federation said in a statement early Monday that it would start proceedings to call for a new presidential election.

    Rubiales also said he has resigned as a vice president of European soccer body UEFA because of the reputational danger the scandal could inflict on Spain’s joint bid to host the men’s World Cup.

    “I don’t want Spanish soccer to be hurt by this exaggerated campaign against me, and above all, I take this decision after being assured that my exit would help contribute to the stability that will allow both Europe and Africa to stay united for their dream of 2030, which will permit the greatest sporting event in the world to go to our country,” Rubiales said.

    “Insisting in waiting and hanging on would not contribute anything positive (for) either the federation or Spanish soccer, among other reasons, because the powers that be would stop me from returning (to my job).”

    The next men’s World Cup will be played in the United States, Mexico and Canada in 2026.

    The statement from Rubiales late Sunday came at about the same time as the release of clips of an interview he did with TV host Piers Morgan on Britain’s TalkTV.

    Spanish state prosecutors last week opened the door for Rubiales to face criminal charges, which he still will have to deal with despite resigning from the soccer federation.

    “What I hope is that he goes away through a conviction, a sentencing, not because of his voluntary decision,” Victoria Rosell, a government official dealing with gender violence, was quoted as saying by Spain’s EFE news agency.

    Spain, which has moved up to No. 2 in the FIFA rankings, is scheduled to start the Women’s Nations League on Sept. 22 with a visit to top-ranked Sweden. Spain beat Sweden in the Women’s World Cup semifinals.

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  • Spain prosecutors accuse Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for World Cup kiss

    Spain prosecutors accuse Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for World Cup kiss

    BARCELONA, Spain — Spanish state prosecutors have accused Luis Rubiales of sexual assault and coercion for kissing a player on the lips without her consent after the Women’s World Cup final, the country’s prosecutors’ office said Friday.

    Rubiales, the now-suspended president of the Spanish soccer federation, kissed Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the awards ceremony after Spain beat England to win the title on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia.

    Prosecutors presented a case against Rubiales to Spain’s National Court in Madrid two days after Hermoso formally accused him of sexual assault.

    According to a sexual consent law passed last year, Rubiales could face a fine or a prison sentence of one to four years if found guilty of sexual assault. The new law eliminated the difference between “sexual harassment” and “sexual assault,” sanctioning any unconsented sexual act.

    Prosecutors added Friday that Rubiales could have committed an act of coercion when, according to Hermoso, he pressured her to speak out in his defense immediately after the scandal erupted regarding his behavior.

    Rubiales has insisted the kiss was consensual. Hermoso has denied that in statements issued by her and her players’ union.

    Prosecutors have asked the judge that Rubiales appear before a court to give preliminary testimony. If the National Court judge agrees the hear the case, it would lead to a formal court investigation that will end with a recommendation for the case to either be dismissed or go to trial.

    Hermoso, a 33-year-old forward, now plays for Mexican club Pachuca after a long career with top Spanish and European clubs, including Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Atletico Madrid. She returned to her Mexican club on Thursday.

    The 46-year-old Rubiales faces threats other than a possible criminal trial.

    He was suspended from his post by FIFA on Aug. 27, a day after he refused to step down when he delivered a defiant speech to the general assembly of his federation in which he said he was victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists.” Rubiales was banned from his post for 90 days while FIFA disciplinary judges consider his case. Soccer’s governing body can impose sanctions on individuals ranging from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport.

    Rubiales also faces action from the Spanish government. A government legal panel overseeing sports has opened a probe to determine if he abused his authority by kissing Hermoso or tainted the image of Spain with his conduct. He faces being deemed unfit to hold his post for up to two years.

    Rubiales’ behavior at the final, which included a lewd crotch grab while next to dignitaries including Spain’s queen and teenage princess, combined with his controversial speech have tarnished the Women’s World Cup title and damaged his own federation.

    Spain’s women’s players have said they won’t play again for their nation until big changes are made in the federation. The federation fired coach Jorge Vilda, but the players have yet to say if they consider that sufficient.

    The accusation by prosecutors against Rubiales came as the players for Spain’s women’s league began their strike on the opening day of the competition after salary talks with the league broke down. The league, called Liga F, was one of the first soccer institutions to criticize Rubiales’ conduct.

    Rubiales, a former player and former head of Spain’s biggest players’ union, has run the federation since 2018. He has boosted revenues and funding for lower-level soccer and the women’s game, but his successes have normally been tinged with scandal.

    Rubiales revolutionized the Spanish Super Cup in 2019 by taking it to Saudi Arabia — now the big draw for top European talent like Cristiano Ronaldo — in exchange for $40 million a year. The move was criticized by women’s and human rights groups for the regime’s treatment of women and minorities. Spanish authorities also scrutinized the deal, and an investigative judge is probing the legality of the Super Cup contracts.

    Rubiales increased his power by becoming a vice president of European soccer body UEFA, and was supposed to lead the bid by Spain, Portugal and Morocco to host the 2030 men’s World Cup. Spain’s government has since warned that the bid to host one of the world’s biggest sporting events is at risk of being sullied.

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  • Spanish soccer federation leaders ask president Rubiales to resign over his kiss of player

    Spanish soccer federation leaders ask president Rubiales to resign over his kiss of player

    GENEVA — Leading officials within the Spanish Football Federation asked suspended president Luis Rubiales to resign on Monday because of his behavior at the Women’s World Cup, including kissing a player on the lips after Spain won the championship match.

    The heads of the regional bodies that make up the federation (RFEF) made the request in a collective statement.

    “After the latest developments and the unacceptable behavior that has caused great damage to the image of Spanish soccer, the presidents request that Luis Rubiales resign immediately as president of the RFEF,” the statement said.

    Earlier Monday, the federation asked UEFA to suspend it from international competitions because of government interference related to Rubiales. However, in their statement, the heads of the regional bodies urged interim federation president Pedro Rocha to withdraw that request immediately.

    The federation’s request for a suspension was widely seen as an attempt to silence some of Rubiales’ critics, including government ministers who have asked for his removal. Such a suspension would ban Spanish teams from competitions like the Champions League and could sway public opinion in favor of letting him keep his job.

    Soccer’s governing bodies have longstanding rules barring national governments from interfering with the running of domestic soccer federations. However, UEFA will not comply with the Spanish federation’s request for a sanction, a person familiar with the issue told The Associated Press on Monday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision-making process was confidential.

    Rubiales has faced a torrent of criticism from around the globe over his behavior at the Women’s World Cup final, including his kiss of Spain player Jenni Hermoso without her consent during the on-field trophy ceremony. He was also widely criticized for grabbing his crotch in a victory gesture while in the presidential box near Spain’s Queen Letizia and her teenage daughter, Princess Sofia.

    Rubiales was suspended from office Saturday by soccer’s governing body FIFA, which is investigating his conduct.

    His mother on Monday started a hunger strike in a church in southern Spain in defense of her son, demanding an end to “the bloody and inhumane hounding” of him.

    The unprecedented request by the Spanish federation asking for a suspension seemed like a leverage play against its critics by trying to provoke fans and powerful clubs like Barcelona and Real Madrid, plus the men’s national team, into backing its efforts to save Rubiales’ job. Rubiales is also a UEFA vice president.

    Spain’s top clubs are due to take part in Thursday’s Champions League group-stage draw being made by UEFA, and the men’s national team has games on Sept. 8 and 12 in qualifying for the 2024 European Championship.

    FIFA opened a disciplinary case against Rubiales on Thursday after taking control of the process because it organized the Women’s World Cup. Rubiales’ behavior during and after Spain’s 1-0 win over England in the final on Aug. 20 in Sydney, Australia, has focused intense scrutiny on him and his five-year management of the federation.

    FIFA, however, did not invoke its version of the rules against government interference to protect Rubiales.

    The Spanish federation then urged UEFA to act, reportedly in a letter sent Friday, the same day its embattled president defiantly refused to resign at an emergency meeting.

    The FIFA suspension prevents Rubiales taking part in official business and having contact with other officials, including in Spain’s bid to co-host the 2030 World Cup with Portugal, Morocco and possibly Ukraine.

    FIFA disciplinary judge Jorge Palacio also ordered Rubiales and the federation not to contact Hermoso. She has said the federation pressured her to publicly back Rubiales.

    Newly crowned as world champions, though drawn into a national scandal they did not seek and has distracted from their triumph, the Spain players have said they will not play any more games for as long as Rubiales is in charge.

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  • One week after sullying the Women’s World Cup, Luis Rubiales is now a Spanish soccer outcast

    One week after sullying the Women’s World Cup, Luis Rubiales is now a Spanish soccer outcast

    BARCELONA, Spain — One week after the president of the Spanish soccer federation kissed a player during the Women’s World Cup awards ceremony, his reputation is in tatters and he’s out of his job.

    Luis Rubiales, whose leadership of Spanish soccer had already been marked by successes tinged with scandal, wrecked his career by offending millions worldwide with his conduct at the final in Sydney, Australia, when he also grabbed his crotch in a victory gesture.

    A day after he was provisionally suspended by FIFA for 90 days, Spain awoke on Sunday to headlines like the one in El Pais: “Spain no longer tolerates men like Rubiales.”

    FIFA moved against Rubiales after he refused to step down and defiantly told an emergency assembly of his federation on Friday that he was the victim of a “witch hunt” by “false feminists.”

    On a day that will go down as one of the ugliest in Spanish soccer, Rubiales said that forward Jenni Hermoso had consented to the “mutual” kiss. Hermoso replied in two statements to say that was false and that she considered herself the victim of an abuse of power. She also accused the federation of trying to pressure her into supporting Rubiales. The federation hit back by saying she was lying and that it would take legal action against her.

    As part of his suspension of Rubiales, FIFA disciplinary judge Jorge Palacio ordered Rubiales and the federation not to contact Hermoso.

    Spain’s government is also pursuing his permanent removal in Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports. The court will meet next week to consider the government’s lawsuit for an alleged abuse of power and for allegedly committing acts that tarnished the dignity and decorum of a sporting event. If found guilty, Rubiales could be ruled unfit to hold office.

    Rubiales was replaced by his vice president Pedro Rocha, who will act as interim chief in his absence. Rocha is considered to be a confidant of Rubiales.

    On Sunday, Rocha called an emergency meeting of the regional federation chiefs to discuss the crisis.

    The behavior of Rubiales not only has tarnished the greatest feat of Spanish women’s soccer, it has also torn apart his federation.

    The only public support Rubiales has received came during Friday’s general assembly when he was applauded several times by parts of the mostly male crowd, which was made up of regional federation officials, coaches, referees and players from lower divisions.

    But his refusal to go quietly led to some resignations from his board, including the vice president in charge of women’s soccer.

    Those who applauded his diatribe included women’s coach Jorge Vilda — Hermoso’s coach — and Spain’s men’s coach Luis de la Fuente. But once FIFA took down Rubiales, it took only hours for both coaches to issue statements sanctioning their suddenly former boss.

    Rubiales is a 46-year-old former player who headed a players’ union – which this week joined the chorus demanding his resignation – before he was elected to run the federation in 2018. He has not shied away from controversy since, but has shored up internal support by boosting revenues.

    Rubiales made 339,000 euros ($365,000) in 2021 after taxes, for presiding over the federation with a budget of 382 million euros ($412 million). The federation runs Spain’s men’s and women’s national soccer teams and its semi-professional and amateur soccer leagues. It also organizes the referees. The government maintains some oversight of the entity but it cannot name or remove its executives.

    Weeks after becoming the most powerful man in Spanish soccer, Rubiales showed he wouldn’t tolerate any act that he considered disloyal when he fired the coach of Spain’s men’s team just two days before its first match at the 2018 World Cup in Russia. Julen Lopetegui had just agreed to join Real Madrid after the tournament, but Rubiales felt he had betrayed the national team and sacked him.

    Rubiales revolutionized the Spanish Super Cup in 2019 by expanding it from two to four teams and taking it to Saudi Arabia – now the big draw for top European talent like Cristiano Ronaldo – in exchange for 40 million dollars a year. The clubs and federation loved the cash, but the move was criticized by women’s and human rights groups for the regime’s treatment of women and minorities. Spanish authorities also scrutinized the deal, and an investigative judge is probing the legality of the Super Cup contracts that apparently included money going to then Barcelona player Gerard Piqué.

    In part, Rubiales was tolerated because he was considered better than his predecessor, Ángel Maria Villar, who was in power for nearly three decades before he ended up behind bars for widespread corruption.

    Rubiales increased his hold on power by becoming a vice-president with UEFA, which has remained silent on the scandal. Rubiales was spearheadeding what promised to be his greatest prize: a joint bid to host the 2030 men’s World Cup with Portugal, Morocco and possibly Ukraine.

    But it seems the greatest sporting achievement of Spanish soccer under his watch has led to his downfall – unless he can successfully fight against both FIFA and Spain’s government.

    The response from Spanish society has been overwhelmingly supportive of Hermoso and against Rubiales.

    Her Spain teammates, along with more than 50 others women players, said they would not play for Spain as long as he remains.

    Messages in support of the player and condemning Rubiales have poured in from Spanish and foreign players, the most powerful soccer clubs – Real Madrid, Barcelona, Sevilla, Athletic Bilbao, Valencia, among others – and from political parties from the far left to the center right.

    “Luis Rubiales is finished,” the president of Spain’s women’s league, Beatriz Álvarez, told The Associated Press. “He has dug his own grave with his acts and his words.”

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  • Spain soccer chief will face an emergency meeting as reports say he will resign for kissing a player

    Spain soccer chief will face an emergency meeting as reports say he will resign for kissing a player

    BARCELONA, Spain — The president of the Spanish soccer federation faces an emergency meeting of its general assembly on Friday amid media reports that he will hand in his resignation following an uproar for kissing a Women’s World Cup champion.

    Luis Rubiales is expected to stand before representatives of Spain’s regional federations, clubs, players, coaches and referees in Madrid at noon local time and local media say he is stepping down.

    The federation has refused to comment on repeated requests from The Associated Press for confirmation of Rubiales’ decision to go that was reported late Thursday.

    Rubiales, 46, is under immense pressure to leave his post since he grabbed player Jenni Hermoso and kissed her on the lips without her consent during the awards ceremony following Spain’s 1-0 victory over England on Sunday in Sydney, Australia.

    FIFA, soccer’s global governing body and organizer of the Women’s World Cup, opened a disciplinary case against him on Thursday. Its disciplinary committee was tasked with weighing whether Rubiales violated its code relating to “the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”

    That move by FIFA came after Spain’s acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said that Rubiales’ attempt to apologize, which came after he initially insulted his critics, was unconvincing and that “he must continue taking further steps” to be held accountable.

    Spain’s Higher Council of Sports, the nation’s governing sports body, pledged it would act quickly to consider various formal complaints filed against Rubiales to see if he had broken Spain’s sports law or the federation’s own code of conduct that sanction sexist acts. If so, Rubiales would face being declared unfit to hold his office by Spain’s Administrative Court for Sports.

    As if the forced kiss was not enough, Rubiales had shortly before grabbed his crotch in a lewd victory gesture from the section of dignitaries with Spain’s Queen Letizia and the 16-year old Princess Sofía nearby.

    The combination of the gesture and the unsolicited kiss has made Rubiales a national embarrassment after his conduct was broadcast to a global audience, marring the enormous accomplishment of the women who played for Spain.

    Hermoso, a 33-year-old forward and key contributor to Spain’s title, said on a social media stream “I did not like it, but what could I do?” about the kiss during a locker-room celebration immediately after the incident.

    The first attempt to respond to the scandal was a statement it released in the name of Hermoso in which she downplayed the incident. Later, a local media report by sports website Relevo.com said that the federation had coerced her to making the statement. The federation has denied this to The AP.

    On Wednesday, Hermoso issued a statement through her players’ union saying it would speak on her behalf. The union said it would do all it could to ensure that the kiss does “not go unpunished.”

    Rubiales has received no public support from any major sports figure and united political parties from both the left and right are calling for him to resign.

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  • FIFA opens case against Spanish soccer official who kissed a player on the lips at Women’s World Cup

    FIFA opens case against Spanish soccer official who kissed a player on the lips at Women’s World Cup

    GENEVA — FIFA opened a disciplinary case Thursday against the Spanish soccer official who kissed a player on the lips while celebrating the team’s victory in the Women’s World Cup final.

    The governing body’s disciplinary committee will weigh if Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales violated its code relating to “the basic rules of decent conduct” and “behaving in a way that brings the sport of football and/or FIFA into disrepute.”

    Rubiales kissed player Jenni Hermoso on the lips during the trophy and medal ceremony on Sunday after Spain’s 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia.

    Minutes earlier, Rubiales grabbed his crotch as a victory gesture in the exclusive section of seats with Queen Letizia of Spain and 16-year-old Princess Sofía standing nearby.

    Hermoso has said she did not like the kiss and the national players’ union representing her — which the 46-year-old Rubiales once led — called Wednesday for his conduct to not go unpunished.

    FIFA responded Thursday.

    “FIFA reiterates its unwavering commitment to respecting the integrity of all individuals and strongly condemns any behavior to the contrary,” the soccer body said without specifying which acts by Rubiales are under investigation.

    Víctor Francos, Spain’s secretary of state for sports, said Wednesday that “the gesture of grabbing his testicles in the tribune is a gesture that no one can defend.”

    FIFA gave no timetable for a ruling. The body’s disciplinary judges can impose sanctions on individuals ranging from warnings and fines to suspensions from the sport.

    The FIFA disciplinary panel is chaired by Colombian lawyer Jorge Palacio, a former labor court judge and member of the state constitutional court.

    The case likely will be judged by three of the 16 panel members. Three of the 16 are women, from England, Mexico and Thailand.

    Rubiales is a vice president of UEFA, a role which pays 250,000 euros ($270,000) each year plus expenses, and was the European soccer body’s most senior representative at the biggest game in women’s soccer.

    UEFA president Aleksander Čeferin has yet to comment on the conduct of Rubiales, who is due to host the European soccer body’s next annual congress in Madrid in February.

    The Spanish soccer federation, which Rubiales has led for five years, has an emergency meeting Friday in Madrid where the agenda allows questions on the controversy.

    It is unclear if the meeting will shore up support for Rubiales or respond to widespread pressure from Spanish government and soccer officials to remove him.

    Rubiales, who led the Spanish players’ union for eight years before taking over as federation president in 2018, is currently heading the UEFA-backed bid to host the men’s World Cup in 2030. Spain is bidding with neighboring Portugal and Morocco, and also possibly Ukraine.

    Francos said Rubiales has damaged the country’s image as it tries to win support for hosting the World Cup.

    FIFA delayed launching the 2030 bid contest in June but has targeted late next year for a decision.

    The Spain-led bid is currently favored over a four-nation South American plan teaming Argentina, Chile, Paraguay and inaugural 1930 World Cup host Uruguay. Despite speculation about a possible bid from Saudi Arabia, the 2034 edition is seen as a more likely goal for the oil-rich kingdom.

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  • Spain soccer coach faces scrutiny for touching a female assistant on the chest while celebrating

    Spain soccer coach faces scrutiny for touching a female assistant on the chest while celebrating

    The coach of Spain’s Women’s World Cup champion soccer team is facing scrutiny after footage emerged showing him touching the chest area of a female assistant while celebrating the only goal of the final

    Spain’s head coach Jorge Vilda shows his gold medal after winning the Women’s World Cup soccer final against England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, Sunday, Aug. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

    The Associated Press

    MADRID — The coach of Spain’s Women’s World Cup champion soccer team is facing scrutiny after footage emerged showing him touching the chest area of a female assistant while celebrating the only goal of the final.

    The incident comes amid a national uproar against the president of the Spanish soccer federation after he kissed a player on the lips without her consent during the award ceremony after the 1-0 victory over England in Sydney, Australia.

    In a video of Spain’s coaching staff celebrating the goal against England, Jorge Vilda turns to hug three of his assistants — a woman and two men. As he turns to look back at the field, his hand makes contact with the chest of the woman, who was wearing a coat. His other hand was touching a male assistant.

    The Spanish soccer federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment by the The Associated Press.

    Earlier this week, acting Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for Spanish soccer federation president Luis Rubiales to be held accountable for his conduct in the final, and there is growing pressure for him to step down.

    The scandal caused by Rubiales has marred one the greatest achievements for women’s soccer in Spain. Only Germany and Spain have won both the women’s and men’s World Cup titles.

    Vilda led Spain to victory less than a year after 15 players said they were renouncing the team unless major changes were made by its coach to improve the team’s performance and its results. No accusations of improper conduct have been known to be made against Vilda. Three players returned to the team for the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.

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  • Women’s World Cup teams head home to different futures

    Women’s World Cup teams head home to different futures

    SYDNEY — Teams headed home from the Women’s World Cup with uncertain futures but hopes that the monthlong tournament would spur new interest and further investment in the game.

    For some teams, like Nigeria, the Philippines and Jamaica, the struggle for funding, support and recognition will continue.

    More established teams like Germany, Brazil, Canada and the United States now begin the post-tournament soul-searching about what went wrong.

    Spain, which defeated England 1-0 in the final on Sunday, can revel as first-time champions.

    “We need to be ready, because after this FIFA Women’s World Cup women’s football is going to explode in every single one of your countries,” FIFA chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman said at a women’s soccer conference held in the days before the final. “We need to be ready for it. There will be millions and millions of women and girls around the world who will sign up to play football for the first time ever after this World Cup.

    “Everyone needs to stand ready, with investment, with infrastructure, with coaches, with referees, with tournaments, member associations, federations, confederations. We need to stand ready to receive that interest and retain it in our game in a sustainable way.”

    The next major tournament for women’s soccer is next year’s Olympics in France. The French were eliminated from the World Cup in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw with co-host Australia in the quarterfinals.

    Before France even got to the World Cup the team had some upheaval. Wendie Renard threatened not to play for the team, and the French federation responded by firing coach Corinne Diacre in March and hiring Herve Renard, who coached Saudi Arabia’s men at the World Cup in Qatar.

    Herve Renard, whose contract runs through the Paris Olympics, was already looking forward to next year.

    “We have no regrets,” he said. “Next year we’ll be back, we’ll be back at home and we are going to try and glean something from this.”

    The United States is in the market for a new coach after the two-time defending World Cup champions crashed out of the tournament at the earliest point ever. Sweden defeated the United States in a penalty shootout in the round of 16.

    U.S. coach Vlatko Andonovski resigned after the tournament. The team needs to work fast to name a replacement, because the Americans are among four teams who have already qualified for the Olympics — along with France, Brazil and Colombia.

    The Brazilians didn’t emerge from the group stage for the first time since 1995. Afterward, Marta said a tearful goodbye after her sixth World Cup.

    “Women’s football doesn’t end here. Women’s football in Brazil doesn’t end here,” Marta said. “We need to understand this.”

    Nigeria has asked global players’ union FIFPRO to intervene and make sure the team received the World Cup bonuses for every player participating in the tournament. Nigeria’s players were each set to earn $60,000 for advancing to the knockout round. The Super Falcons fell to England on penalties in the round o1 6.

    FIFPRO confirmed it was assisting the team in not only receiving the bonuses, but also other payments dating back to 2021.

    FIFA dedicated individual payments from the prize pool for each player at the World Cup. All participants were to receive $30,000, with the total growing the further along teams got in the tournament. FIFPRO was going to lend help to make sure each player received the funds.

    Spain’s players each earned a $270,000 bonus for winning the tournament. The federation earned $4.29 million.

    The Philippines was among eight teams playing in their first World Cup. The team upset New Zealand 1-0 in the group stage for a historic victory. But it wasn’t enough to get the team out of the group stage.

    Canada returns to a messy contract situation with its federation. The women’s team has been without a contract for a year, and reached an interim funding agreement during the tournament that guaranteed the players would be paid.

    The Canadians will be back at work soon, hosting Jamaica in an Olympic qualifier in late September.

    The Reggae Girlz did not have many friendly matches in the run-up to the World Cup and there were crowdfunding campaigns to help the players pay for travel and accommodations. It was hoped that their success in the World Cup — they advanced to the knockout round for the first time — would translate into additional support from the Jamaican federation.

    “The smaller countries will realize that there’s a platform out there and I think young women all over the world, they’re looking,” Jamaica coach Lorne Donaldson said. “I think all of these governments, everybody, it’s time to step up. Cut the bull crap and step up for women’s football and let’s move along.”

    Morocco was another of the first-time teams in the World Cup and played well enough to advance to the knockout round, a first for an Arab and North African team at the World Cup.

    Morocco has poured money into its women’s program. The federation not only created an academy but it pays its players monthly wages to encourage young women to play.

    “I look at these debutant teams, I look at these players, so investment is paying dividends,” former U.S. coach Jill Ellis said. “I am yelling from the highest mountain top that it’s not a matter of if you should, it’s why would you not invest in women’s football?”

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    AP Sports Writer John Pye contributed to this report.

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  • Women’s World Cup champion Spain poised for long run among soccer elite with talented young team

    Women’s World Cup champion Spain poised for long run among soccer elite with talented young team

    SYDNEY — Newly crowned Women’s World Cup champion Spain has established itself for a long run among soccer’s elite with its young and talented roster of rising stars.

    La Roja defeated England 1-0 in Sunday’s final for their first major tournament title. Over the course of the month-long event, Spain played through the turbulence of last year’s player rebellion and the injury-diminished role of two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas.

    Aitana Bonmati, at just 25 years old, solidified her credentials as a top midfielder, and 19-year-old forward Salma Paralluelo proved to be a rising global star.

    “I know that this is the dream we’ve had since we were little. So right now it is difficult to comprehend. But when we get home, we’ll really know what we did,” Paralluelo said. “It’s something huge.”

    Spain joined Germany as the only two nations to win both men’s and women’s World Cup titles and Bonmati spoke about inspiring a generation — just like her hero Andres Iniesta influenced her in 2010 when the Spanish men won the World Cup in South Africa.

    Bonmati and her teammates after the match were already wearing new jerseys that included the star above Spain’s crest that signifies a World Cup title.

    “Today we have this star and this medal and this cup, but it’s for all of them, all of those who have fought for more equality and to get us to a better place,” said Bonmati. “We love that we could contribute our part to be role models for all those girls and boys. Very emotional to have achieved something so extraordinary.”

    More than anything else, Spain’s victory showed that the rest of the world is catching up to the traditional powers. Germany, Brazil and the United States all suffered surprisingly early exits from the tournament.

    Few expected the traditional soccer powerhouses to have long gone home by the time Spain hoisted the trophy.

    An expanded field of 32 teams was expected to expose the disparity in the women’s game. But instead, teams including Morocco, South Africa and Jamaica all advanced to the knockout round to defy expectations. Morocco was one of eight teams playing in its first Women’s World Cup.

    The semifinals included four teams that had never won a World Cup title: Spain, England, Sweden and Australia. Sweden defeated Australia 2-0 in the third-place match.

    Spain was certainly among the top teams heading into the tournament, but not the favorite. The favorite was the United States, the two-time defending champions. But the Americans were eliminated on a penalty shootout with Sweden in the Round of 16, the team’s earliest departure from the tournament ever.

    While Spain had been building to this point — nine players on the squad were from Champions League winner Barcelona, and the country had claimed the 2018 under-17 World Cup and the 2022 under-20 World Cup — turmoil surrounding the team in the past year had created doubts.

    Last September, 15 players stepped down from the national team in order to protect their mental health. They called on the Spanish federation to create a more professional environment. Three of the “Las 15″ — Bonmati, Ona Batlle and Mariona Caldentey — returned to the team for the tournament.

    Then there was the uncertainty surrounding Putellas, the back-to-back Ballon d’Or winner, who tore her ACL last year and was clearly still working her way back during the course of the World Cup. She started on the bench for the title match, while Paralluelo got her first start.

    “We fought hard, that’s the truth, until we felt like we had nothing left. But when we go to the airport and see a girl with a football or with a football jersey and the desire to play it fills us with energy again and makes us keep fighting for what we’re still missing,” Putellas said.

    Spain’s joy over the championship was tinged with sadness, too.

    Following the match the Spanish federation reported that Olga Carmona’s father had died following a long illness. She was told after the match.

    Carmona scored the lone goal in the match against England. She also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute over Sweden in the semifinals. She is just the seventh player in tournament history to score in both the semifinals and finals.

    Paralluelo, who won young player of the tournament honors, was among a group of players who stole the spotlight during the tournament. She joined Colombia’s 18-year-old phenom Linda Caicedo, and 23-year-old Hinata Miyazawa, who scored five goals to win the tournament’s Golden Boot.

    Older stars played in their final World Cup, including Brazilian legend Marta, U.S. forward Megan Rapinoe, Sweden’s Caroline Seger and Argentina’s Estephani Banini.

    “Everything that we’d hope for this to be on every level, it’s happened, in my opinion. We’ve seen rising stars. We’ve seen players saying farewell to the game. We’ve seen giants fall. We’ve seen newcomers,” former U.S. coach Jill Ellis said about the tournament. “I just think, all of these pieces here speak to the fact that if you do invest in this, you will reap incredible benefits.”

    Bonmati won the Golden Ball award for the tournament’s best player. Afterward, she said it was “not fair” to address Spain’s tumultuous year. Putellas suggested that the players who stepped down were also a part of the team’s World Cup journey.

    Like her Barcelona teammate Paralluelo, Bonmati said the magnitude of what she called a “unique and historic” moment would take time to sink in.

    “I am without words. I can’t believe it,” she said. “I am going to need time to savor this victory. This trophy in incredible.”

    ___

    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

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  • Spain wins its first Women’s World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney

    Spain wins its first Women’s World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney

    Spain wins its first Women’s World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney

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  • Spain wins its first Women’s World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final

    Spain wins its first Women’s World Cup title, beating England 1-0 in the final

    SYDNEY — Spain won its first Women’s World Cup title less than a year after a player rebellion, holding off England 1-0 on Sunday after Olga Carmona’s first-half goal.

    Spain’s first major international trophy made it the first European team to win the Women’s World Cup since Germany in 2007.

    At the final whistle the Spanish players piled on each other in front of their goal.

    Carmona’s left-foot shot in the 29th minute went into the far corner of the net and just out of reach of diving England goalkeeper Mary Earps.

    In celebration she raised her jersey to reveal the word “Merchi” scrawled in ink on her undershirt, an apparent nod to her former school.

    Carmona also scored the game-winner in the 89th minute of Spain’s 2-1 semifinal victory over Sweden, becoming the first player since Carli Lloyd in 2015 to score in a World Cup semifinal and final.

    Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th but Jenni Hermoso’s penalty attempt was saved by Earps, who anticipated perfectly and dived to her left.

    Spain’s victory comes despite a near-mutiny by players last year. Fifteen players said they were stepping away from the national team for their mental health while also calling for a more professional environment.

    Three of those players — Ona Batlle, Aitana Bonmatí and Mariona Caldentey — reconciled with the federation and were at the World Cup.

    England had momentum going into the tournament after winning the European Championship at home last summer. But three of the team’s best players, captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead, all had knee injuries that kept them off the World Cup squad.

    England coach Sarina Wiegman was the first coach to take her teams to back-to-back World Cup title matches. She led the Netherlands to the final in 2019, but fell 2-0 to the United States. She’s now 0-2.

    England was coming off a 3-1 victory over host Australia in the semifinal. Lauren James, who was the team’s top scorer with three goals and three assists, was forced to sit out two matches because of a suspension for stomping on Nigeria’s Michelle Alozie to open the knockout stage.

    While James was available for the final, Wiegman started Ella Toone. James came into the match to start the second half.

    The game was briefly interrupted in the 25th minute by a person who raced onto the field but was quickly tackled by security.

    One of England’s best chances was in the 16th when Lauren Hemp’s blast caromed off the crossbar. A minute later, Salma Paralluelo raced to the goal but couldn’t get a clean shot and Earps stopped Alba Redondo’s attempt in the scramble in front of the net.

    Vilda started 19-year-old Paralluelo, who scored the breakthrough goal for Spain against Sweden, and the game-winner in extra time over the Netherlands in the quarterfinals.

    Paralluelo’s nearly scored seconds from half time but her shot hit the post. She was handed a yellow card in the 78th minute for a foul on Alex Greenwood, who had a cut above her eye.

    Hemp had another chance in the 54th but sent it wide. A minute later she was handed a yellow card for a foul on Laia Codina.

    Spain had a chance to double the lead in the 68th after a video review awarded a penalty after Keira Walsh’s handball. But Earps kept England in the game, as she did with a succession of saves late.

    Coach Jorge Vilda had a challenge in working around two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas, who was still working her way back from a torn ACL last year. For the final, Putellas was on the bench at the start.

    Putellas went into the game with 15 seconds left in regulation, but there were 13 minutes of stoppage time.

    There were 75,784 fans at the final at Stadium Australia, including tennis great Billie Jean King.

    The two teams met last year in the quarterfinals of the Euros, with England coming from behind to beat Spain 2-1 in extra time on Georgia Stanway’s goal.

    ___

    AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-womens-world-cup

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