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The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup – Australia & New Zealand kicks off on July 20 and its official slogan is Beyond Greatness.
This edition of the tournament will be the first FIFA Women’s World Cup in which 32 teams will participate. Seven nations have maintained their ever-present record at the FIFA Women’s World Cup and will have featured at all nine editions (Brazil, Germany, Japan, Nigeria, Norway, Sweden and USA).
Eight nations will make their FIFA Women’s World Cup debut in 2023: Philippines, Vietnam, Zambia, Morocco, Ireland, Haiti, Portugal and Panama.
On International Women’s Day (IWD), FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura reached out to a female representative of each of these eight nations to ask: what does Beyond Greatness mean to you?
The Philippines women’s team have made history by becoming the first team from the nation to qualify for a men’s or women’s FIFA World Cup final tournament. Tahnai Annis, player and captain responded to the FIFA Secretary General with what Beyond Greatness means to her.
Ireland finally made the breakthrough, after finishing third in their group in qualifiers for Germany 2011, Canada 2015 and France 2019. Vera Pauw, Ireland coach took the challenge of explaining what Beyond Greatness means to her.
Panama came agonisingly close in the qualifiers for France 2019, eventually going out to Jamaica. The Panamanians will face France, Brazil at their first FIFA Women’s World Cup, and an old acquaintance: Jamaica. Natalia Mills, Panama captain, spoke of realising a dream, in her response.
Zambia became the first team from the nation to qualify for a men’s or women’s FIFA World Cup final tournament, following their qualification for the Tokyo Olympic Women’s Football Tournament. We hear from Zambian player, Evarine Katongo.
Haiti qualified for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2018 and took another huge step forward thanks to Melchie Dumornay, who fired the goals that qualified them for Australia and New Zealand. She explained what Beyond Greatness means to her.
By qualifying for the FIFA Women’s World Cup for the first time, Morocco also became the first Arab nation to successfully reach the finals. Élodie Nakkach spoke of her pride.
Vietnam have also made history by becoming the first team from the nation to qualify for a men’s or women’s FIFA World Cup final tournament. Hai Yen referenced the important of teamwork in their achievement.
Portugal sealed their place at their maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup via Carole Costa’s dramatic late winning goal from the penalty spot to give Portugal a 2-1 victory against Cameroon in the inter-confederation play-offs. Dolores Silva explained why she feels Beyond Greatness is so striking.
Whilst representatives from each of the eight debutant teams have provided their responses, FIFA’s Secretary General wants to know your thoughts too.
Today is #InternationalWomensDay & with @FIFAWWC coming this July & August in 🇦🇺 & 🇳🇿 I want to know what the tournament slogan #BeyondGreatness means to you! pic.twitter.com/GYoOdQsSOX
— Fatma Samoura (@fatma_samoura) March 8, 2023
