FIFA launch new Facebook page for women’s football

21 November 2013

FIFA has today launched a new Facebook page for women’s football while also activating the official Twitter account for the FIFA Women’s World Cup ahead of a busy calendar of events in 2014 and 2015.

The Facebook page and Twitter account will provide the latest information on the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015, FIFA Women’s U-20 Women’s Canada 2014, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Costa Rica 2014 and other events, as well as the development of the women’s game both on and off the field.

Coverage will also focus on the whole of FIFA’s work around the globe to promote women’s football from the Live Your Goals campaign and Girls’ Festivals to Football for Health and corporate social responsibility projects.

With behind-the-scenes images, videos, and engagement opportunities, the key aim is to build a community around women’s football and provide fans with further opportunities to interact with each other, and FIFA, wherever they are in the world.

FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 tickets to go on sale

In just more one week, tickets to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 will go on sale. To help promote the launch, the National Organising Committee will organise local media opportunities on the eve of the launch.

Details to the Wednesday 27 November media availabilities will be announced in the coming days.

On 28 November, tickets to the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 will go on sale via FIFA.com/Canada2014. Fans that purchase venue packs can save up to 20 per cent, with groups and clubs offered venue pack savings of up to 30 per cent off regular individual match ticket prices.

Venue pack ticket purchasers will have the first opportunity to purchase their tickets for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Canada 2014 when they go on sale 28 November 2013 at FIFA.com/Canada2014. In the first phase before the Official Draw in the Spring of 2014, only venue packs will be available for purchase on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Canada, Mexico return to BC Place for women’s friendly

Canada and Mexico will renew their rivalry on Sunday 24 November 2013 at BC Place in Vancouver, venue for the final match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. It will be the first meeting since the two teams clashed at BC Place at the London Olympic Qualifiers in January 2012.

Canada is expecting terrific home support as it builds towards the big tournament it is hosting in less than two years. Vancouver is one of six host cities for the competition that will run from coast to coast across Canada from 6 June to 5 July 2015.

“It should be a great atmosphere at BC Place in Vancouver this weekend,” said Peter Montopoli, Chief Executive Officer for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. “Our country continues to embrace this team as it prepares to play at home for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015.”

Canada will look to play in as many of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 venues as possible in the lead up to 2015. Just last month, Canada won 3:0 over Korea Republic in a women’s friendly at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton.

PLUS: CANADASOCCER.com

Canada 2015 Qualifiers resume in Europe

FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 Qualifiers will resume in Europe from 23-28 November, with 13 matches to be played from Saturday to Thursday of next week. Of the 42 remaining nations in Europe, 21 of them will play one or two matches over the next week.

There are seven matches on Saturday, two matches on Sunday, two matches on Wednesday, and two matches on Thursday. After 28 November, the next matches will be played on 12 February 2014.

The 42 European nations are divided into seven groups of six teams, with each group winner to qualify automatically for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015. The four best second-place teams will then advance to a playoff, with a the playoff winner to be the eighth and final team from Europe to qualify for Canada 2015.

Pellerud savouring a happy homecoming

Never go back. Those three words have become enshrined in accepted football wisdom, with coaches in particular cautioned against returning to the scene of former glories. Yet while there are countless examples to support such advice, exceptions also emerge - and Even Pellerud is a prime example.

The Norway coach had plenty to live up to from his first spell in charge, the high point of which arrived in 1995 with victory at the FIFA Women’s World Cup™. A year later, he stepped down, beginning a 16-year exile that included spells in charge of Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, and men’s club sides Lillestrom and Ikast.

Then, in 2012, with his 60th birthday approaching and to widespread surprise, Pellerud was back. And though he was returning to an old job, the landscape of women’s football had changed almost beyond recognition during his years away.

“I was contemplating going back [to Norway], but more in a technical director-type role,” Pellerud told FIFA.com. “But the coach at that time had to leave, so the position became open and I felt I had the motivation to take it on again. Right from the start, it felt really good and it still feels that way. I loved this job first time around and we had some amazing results, but there’s no doubt that women’s football has moved on massively since then.

PLUS: FIFA.com

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FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015™

The FIFA Women's World Cup is held every four years, with the next edition to be played in Canada in 2015. It marks the first major sporting event hosted in Canada from coast to coast, with matches to be played in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal and Moncton. The FIFA Women's World Cup will feature the 24 best women's football teams in the world.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™ will be preceded one year earlier by the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, one of two FIFA women’s youth tournaments. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup returns to Canada for the first time since 2002. The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 will feature 16 teams featuring players born 1994 or later.

The National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 features Victor Montagliani (chair), Steven Reed, Janine Helland, Doug Redmond, Clare Rustad, Walter Sieber and Peter Montopoli.