A few more days until the European Women’s Football Championship begins in England (July 6-31). However, forward-looking continental tournaments also take place outside of Europe in July.
If the soccer players at the Africa Cup in Morocco, at the Copa America Femenina in Colombia or at the CONCACAF W Championships in Mexico, they play for more than prestige and titles.
All tournaments are also about the future of women’s football across the continent, where it often lives in the shadows compared to men’s football. It’s about starting places at the World Championships and the Olympics, it’s about media attention and financial security.
Record number of participants at the Africa Cup of Women
The women’s Africa Cup celebrated its premiere in 1991 and has been held every two years since 1998. From 2nd to 23rd July it will take place in Morocco for the first time. Twelve teams are taking part – more than ever before. Debuting are Botswana, Burundi, Togo and Burkina Faso, who meet the hosts head-on in the opening game.
In addition to the continental title, the 2023 World Cup is at stake: the semi-finalists qualify directly for the tournament in New Zealand and Australia.
Serial winners from Nigeria under a lot of pressure
Nigeria is the record winner of the women’s Africa Cup of Nations, and the “Super Falcons” have won the title eleven times in 13 events so far. But other nations are catching up. Nigeria’s main competition comes from South Africa, where the national association has introduced numerous reforms in favor of women’s football in recent years.
The Nigeria women’s national team at the Africa Cup of Nations
South Africa does not appear to be alone in its efforts. Only last year, the African Football Association CAF organized a Champions League for women for the first time. In addition, 44 national teams took part in qualifying for the Africa Cup of Nations – a record.
Nevertheless, most players cannot make a living from their sport, professional leagues are a rarity and there is a lack of investment in young talent and professional training and playing conditions. The best African women are therefore drawn to Europe or the USA.
Brazil dominates the Copa América Femenina
The same applies to the best South American players. For the Copa America Femenina However, they return to their homeland. This year, the tournament, in which all ten South American national associations are taking part, will take place in Colombia from July 8th to 30th.
The three best teams qualify directly for the 2023 World Cup, and the winner also receives a place in the upcoming Olympic football tournament. This will probably go to Brazil, because the Seleção dominates South American women’s football. With one exception, she won all editions of the Copa America Femenina since its introduction in 1991.
Hardly any professional leagues in South America
Football is almost a religion in South America, but the players there still have to fight for recognition and professional conditions. Only in Brazil and Colombia there are professional women’s leagues, the Argentine league is considered semi-professional. Although the players there earn a minimum salary, this is just about the same as that of the men in the fourth division.
But there are also efforts in South America to promote women’s football. the Copa America Femenina will be held every two years from now on, the continental association CONMEBOL has also stipulated since 2019 that all men’s clubs must have a women’s team. Otherwise, they will be able to participate in the traditional club competition Copa Libertadores refused. That has had an impact: Since then, investments in women’s football have increased noticeably.
World champions vs. Olympic champions in Mexico
At the CONCACAF W Championship in Mexico (July 4-18), the continental title fights in Central and North America, there are two coveted World Cup starting places at stake in addition to the title. As in previous years, the reigning world champions from the USA and the Olympic champions from Canada will be fighting for the title.
Only the hostesses can be trusted to break through the phalanx from the north. This is mainly due to the Mexican Liga MX Femenil, which has set itself the goal of promoting local youth and keeping the best players in the country. Until last year, only soccer players with a Mexican passport were allowed to participate, but now two foreign players are allowed per team.
The tactic seems to be working: just last year, the national team of Mexico managed a surprise win against Canada.