Super Falcons forward, Asisat Oshoala has been appointed along with others into the FIFA Technical Advisory Group (TAG).
The world football governing body sets up the TAG to focus on the growth and advancement of women’s football.
The TAG, which comprises players, coaches, referees, administrators, sports scientists, and executives, features representation from each of the six continental confederations, held its second meeting on Friday 15 October.
The TAG is led by Jill Ellis, a former FIFA World Women’s Coach of the Year recipient, and the current President of the San Diego NWSL club set to begin play in 2022. She is the only two-time FIFA Women’s World Cup-winning manager.
At the meeting on Friday, some of the topics discussed included; competitive balance, increased opportunities for underserved nations, a FIFA Women’s Club World Cup, increased visibility and participation, FIFA international windows, prize money, and the possibility of staging a biennial FIFA Women’s World Cup.
In her remarks at the group’s meeting, Ellis said, “I’m honored to be chosen by FIFA to lead this project.
“The growth of women’s football is a key objective for FIFA. Like any initiative, the first step is to gather all of the information and start to make the next steps for how this advisory group can be impactful for tangible change for the growth and advancement of the women’s game.
“It’s time for women’s football to assume the importance it has at all levels and create its path of growth and advancement, notwithstanding the necessary coordination with the men’s game namely to avoid calendar overlaps.
Ellis further highlighted that “We will take the information gathered from the Technical Advisory Group and a wider consultation group to take informed ideas to a broader audience”.
Below is the list of members of the TAG
Deyna Castellanos (VEN) – Current player
Desiree Ellis (RSA) – National team coach
Laura Georges (FRA) – Administrator / former player
Emma Hayes (ENG) – Club coach
Lindsey Horan (USA) – Current player
Karina LeBlanc (CAN) – Former player
Kristine Lilly (USA) – Former player
Alex Morgan (USA) – Current player
Doreen Nabwire (KEN) – Administrator
Asisat Oshoala (NGA) – Current player
Mark Parsons (ENG) – Club coach
Ricardo Rambo (BRA) – National team coach
Wendie Renard (FRA) – Current player
Ali Riley (NZL) – Current player
Lotta Schelin (SWE) – Former player
Dawn Scott (ENG) – Sports scientist
Kelly Smith (ENG) – Former player
Bibiana Steinhaus-Webb (GER) – Referee
Pia Sundhage (SWE) – National team coach
Jorge Vilda (ESP) – National team coach
Sun Wen (CHN) – Former player