Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
fifa women s world cuplatest news & developments
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – AUGUST 02: Thembi Kgatlana of South Africa celebrates after scoring her team’s third goal during the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group G match between South Africa and Italy at Wellington Regional Stadium on August 02, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Maja Hitij – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)

South Africa stun Italy to reach Women’s World Cup last 16

South Africa won a Women’s World Cup match for the first time with a stunning 3-2 victory over Italy to reach the last 16 in a thriller on Wednesday. Captain Thembi Kgatlana…

Nigeria’s Super Falcons: playing and begging

The Super Falcons are the undisputed queens of African football, winning 11 of the 13 women’s continental championships ever played. But they still have to beg the Nigerian…

Mixed fortunes: Banyana Banyana had happier times last year and Bafana forward Percy Tau is marked by Namibia’s midfielder Larry Horaeb during a group match in this year’s Africa Cup of Nations. (Javier Soriano/AFP)

Sport audit 2019: How SA’s national football teams performed

Banyana have failed to live up to expectations, while Bafana might just be finally coming good

Pray to play: Teen star, Noxolo Cesane had her prayers answered when she won a spot in the national side. She will return to school now that Banyana is out of the Olympic running. (Richard Huggard/Gallo Images)

Banyana: No choice but to build again

Failing to progress to the next stage of Olympic qualifying has put a dent in the growth of women’s football in the country

Now, post-World Cup, is the time for Banyana to reflect and chart a way forward to ensure they are competitive in the Olympics next year. (Gallo)

A women’s league will not solve all Banyana’s problems

The national team’s shortcomings in international competition stem from more than having no domestic league

Upper level: Although Banyana Banyana did not do well at the World Cup, they have been exposed to the best football teams in the world, says captain Janine van Wyk. (Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images)

Banyana get back up to build

The Cosafa Championship served as a route to success for South Africa in 2018 and they should attempt to utilise it in the same fashion this year

It’s 2019 and women’s football still faces its biggest battles off the field. (Reuters/Bernadett Szabo)

The greatest show — so sit up and pay up

The Women’s World Cup was an unprecedented success. Despite the incredible entertainment and value, the women’s game still faces massive challenges

On the ball: England’s Fran Kirby battles for possession with the US’s Alex Morgan in the semifinal. (Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)

Pragmatic Netherlands look to scupper US juggernaut in Women’s World Cup final

The US team’s experience and nous will always be favoured on the biggest stage of all

After a goalless 90 minutes, Dutch midfielder Jackie Groenen broke the deadlock in the 99th minute of a tense contest, breaking Swedish hearts in the process. (Getty)

Groenen strikes to take Netherlands through to World Cup final against USA

The European Champions have a chance to become world champions when they take on the current holders of the Fifa Women’s World Cup

Thrash: Megan Rapinoe celebrates her goal during the World Cup match between US and Thailand. Photo: Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images

Winners and whingers

Brilliant performances and whiny broadcasters have occupied us in equal measure this past week

New Zealand goalkeeper Erin Nayler. (Getty Images)

More exposure’ for women’s game: New Zealand ‘keeper Nayler has World Cup goal

The Ferns’ goalkeeper believes that her team can bring more attention to football in her country

Gianni Infantino has been in charge of FIFA since February 2016, after succeeding the disgraced Sepp Blatter following the corruption scandal which rocked the organisation. (Reuters/Evgenia Novozhenina)

Infantino claims scandal-hit FIFA transformed ahead of re-election

FIFA president Gianni Infantino insists the footballing governing body had been transformed into an organisation "synonymous with credibility"

Doin’ it for themselves: Five years ago the Jamaican women’s team was nonexistent but it has since come back to life and is competing once again. (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP)

Get up, stand up: Jamaica rises

Banyana’s face-off against the Reggae Girlz is an opportunity to leave the Cyprus Cup in the past

Backroom employees also criticised Safa for not even giving Bantwana the shirts they played in during the U17 World Cup in November, as promised. (Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images)

Safa shows Bantwana the finger

Months after the women’s U-17 World Cup, pleas from the team’s backup staff remain unanswered

Savouring the moment: Banyana Banyana celebrate their victory against Mali during the 2018 African Women’s Cup of Nations semifinal in Ghana. (Sydney Mahlangu/BackpagePix)

Banyana’s bittersweet success

The national team is good enough to get to the Awcon final, but the gender pay gap remains