In addition to the usual suspects from Japan and the United States, the All Star team for the 2011 Women’s World Cup features three players from début semifinalists France and a young star from Equatorial Guinea. Homare SAWA leads the Japanese contingent, including fellow midfielders Aya MIYAMA and Shinobu OHNO, plus goalkeeper Ayumi KAIHORI. Other stars include top goalkeeper Hope SOLO of the US, France’s midfield powerhouse Louisa NÉCIB, Sweden’s inspirational captain Caroline SEGER, and Eq Guinea’s starlet striker AÑONMAN. more...

One Nordic side goes home, while another records a historic victory, on WED 06 JUL 2011. more...

Open, attacking football was on show on SUN 03 JUL 2011. Pity that nobody will be talking about it. more...

WED 29 JUN 2011 came close to seeing an upset bigger than any in Women’s World Cup history. more...

Equatorial Guinea forward JADE BOHO has been provisionally suspended over her eligibility to represent the African side. She has reportedly played for Spain within the last five years; if true, she would be unable to represent any other nation. Eq Guinea have therefore made a last minute change to their Women’s World Cup squad, replacing her with EMILIANA.

The names of the 336 players who will compete at the 2011 Women’s World Cup have been announced, and the list features many well known names, plus a great many who hope to become such by the tournament’s end. At 38, goalkeeper Jenny BINDON of New Zealand is the oldest player named to a roster, whilst Equatorial Guinea’s CHRISTELLE is the youngest of six 16 year olds. 42 players were not yet born when the first Women’s World Cup kicked off in 1991 – though Colombia’s Katerin CASTRO and Nigeria’s Amenze AIGHEWI were both born during it on THU 21 NOV 1991. Christie RAMPONE of the United States has 228 caps, most amongst players selected. Eight players have not yet been capped and will hope to take the pitch during the tournament. In all, 38 players compete professionally in the US’s Women’s Professional Soccer league, including all but one of the US squad. For the first time, a Women’s World Cup will take place without Kristine LILLY, the now retired American legend.

South Africa will host the 2010 African Women’s Championship, which decides two places for the 2011 Women’s World Cup. The 24 teams vying for the eight places at the tournament have been drawn into the preliminary rounds, from which only South Africa gets a bye. The highest seeded teams – Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana, Nigeria, and Tunisia – received byes into the final serieses, whilst the other 18 teams begin with a semifinal series. CAF qualifying begins on the weekend of FRI 05-SUN 07 MAR 2010. more...