![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7d775c997b7f4b2e531516864e47937d.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\nWhen you have been in women\u2019s sports for more than 20 years, you know what lip service looks like. You have seen decisions made for optics rather than intention. You develop a strong instinct for who is serious and who is simply responding to pressure.<\/p>\n
When I met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before joining FIFA, our conversation was direct.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
I said, \u201cWe need to accelerate change, and I have strong ideas that may differ from yours.\u201d<\/p>\n
His response was succinct and sincere: \u201cI want to hear opinions that are different from mine, I want to be a good teammate, and I believe we can grow women\u2019s football at least times 10.\u201d<\/p>\n
That exchange set the tone. I did not step into this role to protect comfort. Mine or anyone else\u2019s. Women\u2019s football is at a critical moment. It has momentum, commercial credibility, and global reach. But there are still gaps that require urgency, discipline, and a willingness to think differently.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
One year into my role, I have seen firsthand Gianni\u2019s commitment to accelerating the women\u2019s game and increasing women\u2019s influence in shaping its future. Recently, five new committees were established across every level of women\u2019s football, bringing together global advocates and technical experts to share experience, challenge assumptions, and raise standards worldwide. That structure matters. It signals permanence, not a moment.<\/p>\n
Under his leadership, investment has moved from rhetoric to action. Women\u2019s World Cup prize money has increased significantly and the direction is clear; it will continue to grow.<\/p>\n
Dedicated player compensation, improved standards, and enhanced services have changed the lives of our players. Ambitious commercial targets are now in place to elevate the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup into a billion-dollar property, with revenue reinvested directly into the women\u2019s game globally.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
Ambition alone does not move the needle. Execution does.<\/p>\n
We have had serious discussions about closing competitive gaps between regions, strengthening media valuation, and achieving greater commercial equity. Broadcast agreements are improving. Greater support for women in refereeing, coaching, and administration is underway. Structural progress is not always loud, but it is measurable, and it compounds.<\/p>\n
1 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
US Draw assistant Shaquille O’Neal poses on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
1 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
US Draw assistant Shaquille O’Neal poses on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/cbdccb45384f9afe94cc8dc9c9d5d2e3.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
2 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
Chief Football Officer of FIFA Jill Ellis poses on the red carpet upon arrival to attend the draw for the 2026 FIFA Football World Cup taking place in the US, Canada and Mexico, at the Kennedy Center, in Washington, DC, on December 5, 2025.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/20824d737754c230e438d20bc48ea626.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
3 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
Pierluigi Collina, Chairman of the FIFA Referees Committee, attends the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/80343b1dd9f75dff96200a99727e1d0b.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
4 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
Red Carpet Host Eli Manning and Draw Assistant Shaquille O’Neal arrive on the red carpet ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/7536c4896357bac095d7f4491532a9e3.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
5 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
Former footballer Blaise Matuidi arrives on the red carpet ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/4de8af79c10a404719cbac2105179fca.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
6 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella arrives on the red carpet ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Draw.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/3b15843e8c032d94e536b080c1baa4db.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
7 \/ 7<\/p>\n
Photos show Trump and celebs gather for 2026 World Cup draw<\/p>\n
Javier Pastore poses on the red carpet prior to the FIFA World Cup 2026 Official Draw at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on December 5, 2025 in Washington, DC.<\/p>\n
Gianni has championed expanded tournaments, new global club competitions, and broader elite pathways. Expansion creates opportunity, but we have been equally clear that quality must rise alongside growth. We have debated the urgency of elevating more women to positions of influence, and those conversations have translated into deliberate action.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
Meaningful change is not a headline. It is a sequence of strategic decisions that lead to measurable outcomes. I respect that Gianni is willing to engage in those decisions rather than avoid them.<\/p>\n
At the same time, women\u2019s football cannot and should not depend on one leader\u2019s intent. The game belongs to member associations, leagues, clubs, coaches, players, partners and the fans. Collective ownership is essential. Progress accelerates when everyone moves together.<\/p>\n
There is undeniably more work ahead. Pushing for that is not optional for me. It is imperative.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
The women\u2019s game today is bigger, better resourced, and more prioritized globally than it was a decade ago. That did not happen by accident. It required advocacy at every level \u2013 especially from the top.<\/p>\n
With partnership and committed leadership, growth will not be limited to times 10. It will be transformative.<\/p>\n
Globally accomplished, respected, and renowned women\u2019s football coach, club president, and executive, Jill Ellis serves as FIFA\u2019s Chief Football Officer.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
Appointed in December 2024, Ellis is a member of FIFA\u2019s executive management team and leads the development and implementation of FIFA\u2019s global football strategy.<\/p>\n
Ellis is the only coach in history to win back-to-back FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup titles, leading the U.S. Women\u2019s National Team (USWNT) to victory in 2015 and 2019. A two-time recipient of The Best FIFA Women\u2019s Coach award, she remains the most successful coach in USWNT history with a record of 106 wins, 7 losses, and 19 ties.<\/p>\n