Germany threatens to lose two key players at the start of the World Cup

The German national team will most likely have to do without defender Martina Hegering and midfielder Lena Oberdorf in the first World Cup game against Morocco in Melbourne on Monday. “It looks as if we won’t be able to fall back on either of them in the first game,” said national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg on Thursday of the ARD “Sportschau”. Both players are injured, Oberdorf suffered from a thigh injury and Hegering from a bruised heel.

The 55-year-old national coach emphasized the high goals of the DFB selection before the game (10.30 a.m. CEST/ZDF). “We raised expectations. We want to play for titles. But you have to be able to deal with that, it creates pressure.” The team will not succeed in everything. “But we promise: we will see passion and intensity. We will go to and beyond our limits,” said Voss-Tecklenburg.

New Zealand wins World Cup opening game against Norway

New Zealand surprisingly won the opening game of the Women’s World Cup against Norway. The co-hosts prevailed 1-0 despite a missed penalty.

A more detailed announcement of the opening game can be found here.

football–WM of women starts in Australia and New Zealand

For the first time with 32 teams, the World Cup for women in Australia and New Zealand begins this Thursday. In Auckland, New Zealand, the ninth World Cup between the hosts and Norway will open on Thursday (09:00 CEST/ARD). The Australians will then play Ireland in Sydney (12.00 CEST/ARD).

The German team headed by national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg will start the tournament against Morocco in Melbourne on Monday (10:30 a.m. CEST/ZDF). Other group opponents are Colombia and South Korea. One year after reaching the European Championship final, the German team wants to secure the World Cup title for the third time after 2003 and 2007. The final will be held in Sydney on August 20th.

With a total of 32 teams, more teams are taking part in this World Cup than in any other world tournament for women soccer.

“Huge issue”: Women’s team wants to make a statement with the captain’s armband

Captain Alexandra Popp was in a good mood and chatting on the day before the opening of the World Cup. After some adjustment difficulties, the German footballers around their experienced leader finally feel that they have arrived “down under” and are ready for their mission at the finals in Australia and New Zealand. “I’m in the mood for the World Cup,” announced Popp with a broad grin on Wednesday in the German World Cup quarters in Wyong.

“We were extremely tired in the first few days, the jet lag took its toll on us,” said the goalscorer from cup winners and runners-up VfL Wolfsburg. This phase is now over. “The atmosphere on the training ground is great, the concentration is great and the quality of the practice sessions is very good,” said the 32-year-old.

Everyone is “extremely happy that it’s finally starting and we can sit together as a team to watch the other games and develop a World Cup feeling before we start for ourselves,” said Popp.

The first task in the preliminary round is against Morocco next Monday. Then the most experienced German player with 128 caps will lead the DFB selection onto the field with a special captain’s armband, which she will wear throughout the tournament. With this you want to set an example “against violence against women”, said Popp.

World governing body FIFA announced at the end of June that, unlike the men’s World Cup, it would allow multicolored captain’s armbands in the style of the “One Love” armband. While there is no armband with classic rainbow colors, various bracelets with messages on social issues are permitted. Popp justified the choice of the team for the bandage against violence against women with the fact that this is a “huge issue”. “Especially when it comes to domestic violence.”

First and foremost, however, the team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg wants to make headlines in sport. After the Morocco start, the group duels with Colombia and South Korea follow. In the round of 16, a very big chunk threatens with France or Brazil. “It will definitely not be easy and definitely not a sure-fire success. It was said that we had caught the lightest group. I don’t see it that way,” said Popp. “We have to start the tournament very well to take a flow with us.”

England’s women’s footballers put bonus dispute on hold during World Cup

The English national soccer players want to let the premium dispute with their association (FA) rest during the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins this Thursday. “With the opening game approaching, we Lionesses have decided to pause the discussions with the firm intention of resuming them after the tournament,” they said in a statement signed by all 25 players and shared on social media on Wednesday.

At the beginning of the month it was revealed that the English players were frustrated by the FA’s decision not to give the team any further money in addition to the bonuses paid out by the world governing body FIFA.

FIFA guarantees every player taking part in the World Cup at least 30,000 dollars (around 26,650 euros). In the case of the world title, the players would each get $270,000.

European champion England is one of the top favorites alongside defending champions USA, France and Germany. Coach Sarina Wiegman’s side will play their first group game against outsiders Haiti in Brisbane on Saturday.

DFB women warned of Colombia: “Do not hold balls long”

Shortly before the World Cup, the German soccer players do not want to be impressed by the tough style of play of their group opponents Colombia. “In situations like this we shouldn’t hold the ball for long, but play quickly with one or two contacts. In this way we often avoid unnecessary duels. But of course we have to fight back in the direct duels,” said vice-captain Svenja Huth on Sunday at “Bild”.

The Irish national team had stopped a friendly against Colombia after about 20 minutes shortly before the World Cup tournament in Australia and New Zealand (July 20 to August 20) because, according to the Irish association Fai, it had been played “excessively physically”. According to media reports, Ireland coach Vera Pauw said her players were “fearful” about their physical integrity.

After their opening game against Morocco in Melbourne on July 24, Germany will then face Colombia in the second group game on July 30 in Sydney. National coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg had repeatedly warned against the physical playing style of the South American runners-up – most recently in the 2-3 defeat of the European runners-up against World Cup outsiders Zambia in Fürth.

“The exciting thing about a World Cup is that different styles of play come together,” said Huth from VfL Wolfsburg. “For some teams, this also includes a physical and robust manner. That’s why we had a friendly opponent in Zambia who behaved like that. Because we know that Colombia, for example, also plays like that.”

FIFA is giving away 20,000 tickets for the Women’s World Cup in New Zealand

The world football association FIFA is giving away 20,000 tickets for the women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. The tickets are only for games in the stadiums in New Zealand, as it was said on Thursday. In this way, the world association wants to fight against the comparatively low level of interest in the country of the co-host.

“There are still tickets for some matches in New Zealand (Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington and Hamilton). So whether you’re a hobbyist or an expert, this is your chance to get involved!” ex-Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wrote on Instagram.

Since football is only a marginal sport in New Zealand, the organizers there have a harder time getting people excited about the tournament compared to Australia. A sponsor is now to distribute 5,000 tickets for each of the four venues in New Zealand free of charge.

According to FIFA, 1.25 million tickets for the World Cup have been sold so far. Games in New Zealand account for 320,000 of these.

Zambia coach accused of ‘sleeping with players’

In the run-up to the Women’s World Cup, there is a fuss about the coach of the Zambian national team. Bruce Mwape has been accused of forcing his players to have sex. “If he wants to sleep with someone, you have to say yes,” said an anonymous source. Read the whole story here.

The German World Cup squad is in place – Popp the captain, Simon is missing with a cruciate ligament tear

The World Cup squad of the German women’s national team is set. National coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg has to do without Carolin Simon at the tournament in Australia and New Zealand. A cruciate ligament rupture prevents the Bayern player from traveling.

Here you can read more about it.

Voss-Tecklenburg: “One is always surprised at a World Cup”

Martina Voss-Tecklenburg talks about tips from Hansi Flick and how to deal with star Alexandra Popp. And she says what happens to the boom in women’s football if her team is kicked out early at the World Cup. Read the whole interview here.

After protests in the national team: Putellas nominated for World Cup

Spain can count on leader Alexia Putellas at the World Cup. Three players who actually no longer wanted to play for the national team are back in the squad.

Read more here

Fifa allows colorful captain’s armbands at Women’s World Cup – but no rainbow

Surprising announcement from FIFA. The association allows colorful captain’s armbands to be worn at the Women’s World Cup. However, the bandages must not be rainbow-colored. Colorful armbands were completely banned at last year’s men’s World Cup. Here you can read more about it.

Full policy support for women soccer–WM-Application 2027

The heads of government from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have pledged their full support for the joint bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup. A commitment was made to provide the national football associations with all the necessary funds to support them, it said in a joint statement at the European Council meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte and his Belgian counterpart Alexander De Croo emphasized the great importance of football in their respective countries, the positive development of women’s football in particular and the extensive experience in hosting major sporting events.

“It’s time to unite the (football) world in the heart of Europe and make the FIFA Women’s World Cup a lasting celebration of football, peace, freedom and happiness,” they said in the statement.

DFB President Bernd Neuendorf was pleased with the statements and the support from politics. “This is a strong signal to FIFA. Our three countries stand together behind the application, right up to the top of the government,” said Neuendorf. The project is given the highest priority in all three nations.

The competitors for the World Cup award come from Brazil, South Africa and the USA together with Mexico. The plan is for the FIFA Congress in May 2024 to vote on the host of the 2027 Women’s World Cup.