What's happened
FIFA is under scrutiny as it prepares for the 2026 Men's World Cup and the expansion of the Women's World Cup. Human Rights Watch has urged reconsideration of hosting decisions if safety cannot be guaranteed, while FIFA's strategy for Afghan women's soccer remains controversial amid Taliban restrictions.
What's behind the headline?
Key Points:
- Human Rights Concerns: Human Rights Watch has called on FIFA President Gianni Infantino to reconsider hosting decisions if safety for fans and players is not assured, particularly in light of past politically charged tournaments.
- Expansion of Women's World Cup: FIFA plans to expand the Women's World Cup to 48 teams, mirroring the men's tournament, which reflects the growing popularity and investment in women's soccer.
- Afghan Women's Soccer: The establishment of a women's refugee team by FIFA aims to support Afghan players who have been sidelined since the Taliban's return to power. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to promote women's soccer in Afghanistan despite significant challenges.
- Future Implications: The expansion of the Women's World Cup could lead to increased visibility and opportunities for women in sports globally, but it also raises questions about the effectiveness of FIFA's engagement with countries where women's rights are under threat.
What the papers say
According to Ali Walker from Politico, Human Rights Watch has urged FIFA to reconsider its hosting decisions if safety cannot be guaranteed, highlighting the political controversies surrounding past tournaments in Russia and Qatar. Meanwhile, AP News reports that FIFA's strategy for Afghan women's soccer includes the establishment of a refugee team, although this does not yet fulfill the desire for a recognized national team. The Guardian notes that FIFA's expansion of the Women's World Cup to 48 teams is a response to the rapid growth of women's soccer, with the UK set to host the event in 2035. This expansion is seen as a significant step towards broader representation in women's sports, despite the ongoing challenges faced by players in Afghanistan.
How we got here
FIFA's decision to expand the Women's World Cup follows a pattern of increasing participation in women's sports. However, the return of the Taliban has severely impacted women's soccer in Afghanistan, prompting FIFA to establish a refugee team for Afghan women players.
Go deeper
- What are the implications of the Women's World Cup expansion?
- How is FIFA addressing human rights concerns?
- What challenges do Afghan women face in soccer?
Common question
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More on these topics
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FIFA is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
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The United States of America, commonly known as the United States or America, is a country mostly located in central North America, between Canada and Mexico.
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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.
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The Taliban or Taleban, who refer to themselves as the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, are a Sunni Islamic fundamentalist political movement and military organization in Afghanistan currently waging war within that country.
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Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino is a Swiss–Italian football administrator and the current president of FIFA. He was elected President of FIFA during the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016.