Friday 31 May 2019, 15:26

Meet the Team Reporter: Canada

Mona Yeganegi, Canada's Team Reporter for France 2019, working at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

For the first time at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™, FIFA’s coverage of France 2019 will be spearheaded by 24 Team Digital Content Producers, offering expert insight and exclusive behind-the-scenes content on each of the participating sides.

Between now and the big kick-off, some of these Team Reporters will be sharing their stories and expectations for the upcoming showpiece. The latest to step forward is Mona Yeganegi, a veteran of major events who will be following Canada's quest for glory.

Mona's story

“It’s not what the world holds for you; it’s what you bring to the world”. I have tried to live by those words all my life.

Growing up in a loving family, my father and my brother were the first to get me playing football at a very young age, with my mother and sister cheering me on. Falling in love with football happened organically for me. I ran after a football as if my life depended on it, and in life I ran after my dreams just as fiercely.

Having grown up amid family members with medical backgrounds, I too adored sciences. But I knew I needed to have sports infused in my life to feel truly content. So, when I became a clinical child psychology specialist involved in humanitarian work, I continued my studies in post-graduate broadcast journalism in television news and sports.

Throughout the past decade, I have worked at 16 international sporting events, including five Olympic Games, multiple International Ice Hockey Federation World Championships, the Pan American Games and the recent 2018 FIFA World Cup™. Every event provided me with experiences that allowed me to further my skills and guide me on my chosen path.

Mona Yeganegi, Canada's Team Reporter for France 2019, working at the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia.

Global passion and a unifying force

I have also been fortunate to live in many different parts of the world, and one consistently shared passion I’ve seen has been a love of football.

While working at a hospital in a remote part of south-east Asia, I would witness kids playing with pieces of paper made into a ball, while sick children looked on in envy. I developed a program to incorporate football as part of therapy. For those few minutes, these kids forgot their illnesses. Their shared joy was palpable.

Later, life took me to another corner of the world, playing with fans from across the world in the streets of Saint Petersburg, where I was worked during the 2018 World Cup. I will never forget the moment I stepped on to the pitch working at my first FIFA event, tears filling my eyes. Working for FIFA became a goal and, now, here I am.

Football has become a language of its own, creating bridges between people. It is not limited geographically; it knows no race, age, religion, gender or sexual orientation. But of course, there is always more work to be done.

As a female working in the field of sports, I have often dealt with being one of precious few women in a room full of men. I have dealt with many hardships, but also been supported. I was hired at FIFA by individuals who recognised my passion and trusted my ability, and will be forever grateful. I was welcomed with open arms and that in itself was an incredible source of motivation.

A chance to inspire

As a Canadian, I am proud to have been appointed as an official FIFA Team Reporter and Digital Content Producer to cover my nation’s women’s national team at France 2019.

Canada, ranked fifth in the world, made a mark with back-to-back podium finishes at the 2012 and 2016 Olympic Games. They also produced a respectable performance at the 2015 Women’s World Cup in Canada.

And not long from now, Canada’s captain - the one and only Christine Sinclair - is slated to break the all-time record for international goals. There is no doubt that their performances in France will impact the future of the sport back home and pave the path for the next generation of female players.

In football, as in so many areas, women still have challenges ahead of them. But strong momentum has been built up on and off the pitch. As one of the first-ever females of Iranian origin hired by FIFA, I am honoured to have this position, but with it there is a great sense of responsibility - and a chance to inspire.

We all arrive through different roads but more important are the ways in which we’re bound together: our shared humanity and a love of the beautiful game. My story is far from over, and I am not only grateful for this role with FIFA, but excited for all that is yet to happen.

When you follow your passion, life becomes an adventure. Regardless of where this passion takes me, I’ll forever remember the beautiful beginnings and how it all started.

See you in France!