FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024: More women on the bench, a trend that will continue at Colombia 2024
HIBAPRESS-RABAT-FIFA
Twelve of the 24 coaches present at Colombia 2024 are women. A record.
FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2024™ in full swing in Colombia
Twelve of the 24 coaches present at the tournament are women.
They confided in FIFA, expressing their “pride”
Mexico U-20 coach Ana Galindo had hoped for a better start for her charges at the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup™. Leading 2-0 against Cameroon at the Estadio El Campín in Bogotá, the Mexicans were ultimately forced to settle for a 2-2 draw. Despite the frustration and disappointment of the draw, Galindo smiled. She smiled because she had just been told that 12 of the 24 coaches of the teams competing in the tournament were women, a record in the history of the competition. “That makes me proud,” the Mexican coach told FIFA at the time. At Costa Rica 2022, 50% of the coaches present were already women, but the tournament had only 16 teams then, compared to 24 today. A leap has therefore been made when we know that the historical average of the U-20 tournament was 3.1 female coaches per edition. In 2024, the lucky ones are: Leah Blayney (Australia), Rosada dos Santos (Brazil), Tye Cindy (Canada), Ana Aguilar (Costa Rica), Angeline Chua (Fiji), Sandrine Singler (France), Kathrin Peter (Germany), Ana Galindo (Mexico), Roos Kwakkenbos (Netherlands), Sonia Bermúdez (Spain), Tracey Kevins (United States) and Pamela Conti (Venezuela).
“We are making progress,” Galindo said. “It motivates me to continue working, because I have a responsibility to open doors for those who come after me.” “Today, there is perhaps more empathy. If you talk about the menstrual cycle, obviously we have a lot more to say than any man… But tactically, we also have something to contribute.” “It’s great,” said Australia coach Leah Blayney. “Every time we add a woman to the bench, we add quality. So I am very proud to be part of these coaches and I wish them the best for the tournament.” The trend is also on the rise at the senior level. At the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, 12 women were in charge, the highest number ever for this competition. By comparison, there were seven in 2015 in Canada and eight four years later in France.
“It’s a good statistic,” said Pamela Conti, the Venezuela coach. “I hope that at the next (Women’s) World Cup, there will be many more of us. It’s not so much gender that matters, but how we behave with the players. The most important thing is that we are ready to take on these big challenges.” Kathrin Peter was equally happy: “I am very happy that more and more women are taking this path and doing this job. It’s a good thing,” said the Germany coach after her big win against the Venezuelans (5-2). Before concluding: “I am convinced that the number of women coaches will increase. Women’s football is growing and it’s not over yet.”
