South Africa is bidding to host the Women’s World Cup in 4 years’ time. The President of the South African Football Association sees this as a way of reducing the backwardness of African teams in the world game. South Africa’s rivals are Brazil, the joint Mexico-USA and Belgium bids, and Germany-Netherlands.
African women’s soccer is lagging behind the big nations, the President of the South African Football Association seems to be saying between the lines. And to remedy or mitigate this, the organization of the next World Cup should be awarded to South Africa.
Danny Jordaan sees this as a sign of equality in world soccer, which is not currently the case. He gives as an example the inequities that have marked the evolution of men’s soccer, and the consequences they are having today.“When you look at world soccer, the first men’s World Cup took place in 1930.The first World Cup in Africa took place in 2010. Almost 100 years later. And as a result, the gap in men’s soccer between European and South American soccer compared to Africa and Asia is now impossible to close,” he argues.
In economic terms, the South African leader sees African women’s soccer following the same trajectory as men’s soccer. For the men’s game, Europe attracts almost all the revenue. Unless a revolution takes place. “Of global soccer revenues, 80% go to Europe.So Africa is on the sidelines. Now, if we sit back and do nothing, the same pattern will emerge in women’s soccer, and we’ll struggle to close the gap.“President Danny Jordaan added: “If we want soccer to be truly global, we need to increase the competitiveness of soccer around the world.
South Africa also has a strong infrastructure case
South Africa has no shortage of arguments to support its bid. It boasts top-quality infrastructure, notably the stadiums built in 2010 to host the first World Cup on African soil.
To conclude his argument, the President of the Federation says: “I think that Africa can deliver a winner of the Women’s World Cup long before the men finally get an African winner. Of course, Morocco reached the semi-finals in Qatar last year, but I think it will be quite a challenge for Africa to finally win a men’s World Cup. But that doesn’t mean you have to give up. But I think we have a better chance on the women’s side.
The winner of the next Women’s World Cup will be announced at the FIFA Congress in Bangkok next May. This will be based on a vote by FIFA’s member associations.
Last-minute magic!
Amanda Ilestedt steps into the #SpotlightOfTheDay for her last-gasp winning goal for @svenskfotboll against South Africa 🇸🇪
Unlucky #13? Not today. pic.twitter.com/Isejucx9mS
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) July 23, 2023
