The Salón de los Pasos Perdidos, located at the Parliament House in Montevideo, hosted the launch of the Official Emblem and Look of the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 on Thursday. Local government authorities, representatives from the Uruguayan Football Association (AUF), the Local Organising Committee (LOC) and FIFA presented the host country of the sixth edition of the tournament in the presence of special guests and media at the official unveiling event.
The Official Emblem is a combination of a number of elements which represent Uruguay. In red is a Ceiba tree, an emblematic species of Uruguayan flora, portrayed through its striking carmine flowers. Under the Ceiba is a human figure playing the repinique drum, the base instrument used in Uruguayan traditional music called Candombe. The bright yellow sun with a human face and the four blue lines decorating the drum depict the main elements of the national flag.
Providing a modern graphic background and a colour palette to complement the Official Emblem, the Official Look depicts the host country’s undulating landscape and famous beach-lined coastline.
Speaking at the launch event, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman said: “This first event in Uruguay is just a glimpse of the enthusiasm that we are expecting during the preparations for the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup and the tournament. The Official Emblem and Look represent the energy that football fans will feel next year, while watching the best young players in action. It’s a perfect combination of nature, music and history. I trust in the commitment and dedication of the LOC and the host cities to deliver a unique tournament, while aiming to promote and develop women’s football in the country and in the region.”
AUF President Wilmar Valdez added: “It is with tremendous joy, just as it was 87 years ago, that we welcome the world of football to our country and undertake the commitment, effort and responsibility that come with the privilege of being selected to host this magnificent event. The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 will undoubtedly mark a new milestone in Uruguayan football, which will promote female football. We are proud to share our roots, culture and passion for football with women and men from all four corners of the world.”
Uruguayan Sports Secretary Fernando Cáceres added: “Football is an expression of our national identity and a way of living and celebrating life, which is typical of Uruguayans. A Women's World Cup is an extraordinary opportunity to promote the idea of a level playing field for women.”
As part of the ceremony, rising star Deyna Castellanos and FIFA Legend Diego Forlan were introduced as the tournament ambassadors, and they highlighted the importance of the tournament. “It’s an honour to attend the kick-off of this outstanding tournament held for the first time in my home country. Investment in high-quality infrastructure is a great legacy to follow and it is also crucial to encourage Uruguayan girls to play football at a competitive level,” said Forlan.
Castellanos, the Venezuelan who was awarded the adidas Golden Boot at the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup Costa Rica 2014 and was a finalist for The Best FIFA Women's Player 2017 and this year's FIFA Puskas Award, was unable to attend the event due to her competition calendar, but expressed her support for the tournament: “I am glad to be actively involved again in the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup. It’s a big opportunity for us to see the best young talents in action and the women who will be the top players in the next decade.”
The FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup will set the stage for the world’s best players to compete in various venues across Uruguay: 16 teams in 32 games in Montevideo, Colonia and Maldonado. The competition will take place from 13 November to 1 December 2018.