A 23-strong squad of FIFA Legends are harnessing their superpowers to change the world on the road to France 2019. Meet the squad and join them as they #DareToShine. #LegendsAssemble!
FIFA Women's World Cup
Some trailblazers inspire a generation. There is no doubt that Patrizia Panico has moved thousands of youngsters to recreate her goals – more than a hundred of which she scored for her country’s national team – in playgrounds across her native Italy.
Now, she is blazing a fresh trail, as coach of the Italian men’s U-15 national side, one of very few women’s coaches working in an international set-up in the men’s game.
With Italy preparing to head to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup™ since USA 1999, FIFA.com sat down with Panico to cast her mind back to that tournament, where she – naturally - scored twice. We also looked ahead to Gli Azzurri’s chances at France 2019 and discussed her current role.
Some trailblazers inspire a generation. There is no doubt that Patrizia Panico has moved thousands of youngsters to recreate her goals – more than a hundred of which she scored for her country’s national team – in playgrounds across her native Italy.
Now, she is blazing a fresh trail, as coach of the Italian men’s U-15 national side, one of very few women’s coaches working in an international set-up in the men’s game.
With Italy preparing to head to their first FIFA Women’s World Cup™ since USA 1999, FIFA.com sat down with Panico to cast her mind back to that tournament, where she – naturally - scored twice. We also looked ahead to Gli Azzurri’s chances at France 2019 and discussed her current role.
I think the correct thing would be to say that I want to coach professionals. Then it makes no difference whether those professionals are men or women. That’s how I feel it. And from there a whole world opens up. I don’t think there should be any differentiation.
FIFA Women's World Cup
Just over a year ago, Phil Neville sat in a press conference to announce his first managerial role, and he was greeted by a packed room of journalists.
Scepticism was rife. Many tough questions asked. Among them: Why had Neville, with no history in the women’s game, taken one of the top jobs in the female iteration of the globe’s most popular sport?
A relaxed Neville has a determined steel in his eye when discussing this and other subjects at the English national teams’ superlative training centre in an idyllic English countryside setting.
Throughout an in-depth and wide-ranging chat, the former England and Manchester United man touches on those early doubts, lessons learned from his playing days and the thing that is dominating his mind at the moment: the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.
Just over a year ago, Phil Neville sat in a press conference to announce his first managerial role, and he was greeted by a packed room of journalists.
Scepticism was rife. Many tough questions asked. Among them: Why had Neville, with no history in the women’s game, taken one of the top jobs in the female iteration of the globe’s most popular sport?
A relaxed Neville has a determined steel in his eye when discussing this and other subjects at the English national teams’ superlative training centre in an idyllic English countryside setting.
Throughout an in-depth and wide-ranging chat, the former England and Manchester United man touches on those early doubts, lessons learned from his playing days and the thing that is dominating his mind at the moment: the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™.
I said on day one I want to win the World Cup. That wasn’t me being arrogant or big-headed, that was the challenge I set myself and for my group of players. At Canada 2015, we came third. So progression is to get to the final, progression is to become better than third.
FIFA Women's World Cup
You wouldn’t expect a continental champion to come back from lifting the title with the admission that they were a bit rusty. But in Asisat Oshoala’s eyes, Nigeria have plenty more in their locker despite hoisting the CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations in December.
Having had to slog to their third successive title, overcoming penalty shootouts in both the semi-final and final, the three-time CAF African Women’s Player of the Year is anticipating a slicker, more efficient Super Falcons outfit come the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.
While she’s getting into gear in the best possible way – joining Barcelona on loan from Chinese champions Dalian Quanjian – the national team is being put through its paces in the lead-up too, game time she feels they sorely need.
Having kicked off Canada 2015 with a bang against Sweden, now the race is on to hit their stride in time for Norway on 8 June.
You wouldn’t expect a continental champion to come back from lifting the title with the admission that they were a bit rusty. But in Asisat Oshoala’s eyes, Nigeria have plenty more in their locker despite hoisting the CAF Africa Women Cup of Nations in December.
Having had to slog to their third successive title, overcoming penalty shootouts in both the semi-final and final, the three-time CAF African Women’s Player of the Year is anticipating a slicker, more efficient Super Falcons outfit come the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.
Having kicked off Canada 2015 with a bang against Sweden, now the race is on to hit their stride in time for Norway on 8 June.
No one that’s qualified for the World Cup is a pushover. They’re among the champions of their own continents. It’s champions against champions.
A total of 52 matches will be played to determine the winner of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France. Find out when and where all the matches will take place.
France has been the world’s leading tourist destination in terms of foreign visitors since the 1990s. The country’s appeal lies not just in the beauty and diversity of its countryside, but also in its outstanding historical, cultural and artistic heritage.
