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

On TUE 28 JUN 2011, FIFA announced that Colombia reserve goalkeeper Yineth VARON failed a drug test and is provisionally suspended from the Women’s World Cup. Varon, a late addition to the squad following an injury to Paula FORERO, was tested on SAT 25 JUN 2011, just two days past her 29th birthday. FIFA did not identify the substance for which Varon tested positive. The announcement comes after the deadline for replacing players, so if the suspension holds, Colombia must make do with only two goalkeepers.

The story as Group C opened was one of victories by the favourites, but still with missed opportunities. 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.

Group B remains up for grabs after its first two matches are closely contested. more...

The sixth Women’s World Cup began with two closely contested matches in front of full crowds. more...

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.

Though football is often a subjective game, most observers could agree that Group B of the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup was the Group of Death, as hosts China PR must face off against Australia, Korea Rep, and Vietnam. The eight team tournament, to be held in Chengdu, China PR, opens on WED 19 MAY 2010 with defending Asian champions Korea DPR facing Thailand. The top three sides qualify for the 2011 Women’s World Cup. more...

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...

The eight team field for the 2010 AFC Women’s Asian Cup has been decided as Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam won their respective second preliminary round groups. All three did so by winning both of their matches. These teams join automatic qualifiers Australia, China PR, Japan, Korea Rep, and Korea DPR in the Women’s Asian Cup, to be held in Chengdu, China PR, next year. The top three teams in the tournament qualify for the 2011 Women’s World Cup.

On FRI 20 MAR 2009, FIFA approved the 32-match schedule for the 2011 Women’s World Cup, starting with Germany’s opening match in Berlin on SUN 26 JUN 2011. The group phase continues until TUE 05-WED 06 JUL 2011, when two groups per day have their final matches. The third place and final matches, as previously announced, are in Sinsheim and Frankfurt respectively on SAT 16-SUN 17 JUL 2011. This will be the first Women’s World Cup in which no matches are played as doubleheaders in the same stadium.

The results of the draw for the UEFA group phase of qualifiers for Germany 2011 should please the favoured teams. Ukraine are no doubt anticipating a first qualification as they go up against Poland and Hungary in Group 4, while Russia, who missed China 2007, are due to face Ireland Rep and Switzerland in Group 6. Finland, who host Women’s Euro 2009 this summer, meet Italy and Portugal in Group 7. Winning the group is not sufficient this time, as the winners will then have to win in the playoffs next year in order to qualify. Qualifying matches begin in SEP 2009. more...

The long process to decide the sixteen participants at Germany 2011 will begin on TUE 17 MAR 2009, when the 41 teams who entered the UEFA qualifiers are drawn into eight groups. Germany, who qualify automatically as hosts, will be joined by 4½ other European sides that have been divided into five pots according to performances in the qualifiers for the 2007 Women’s World Cup and Women’s Euro 2009. The group phase will be played from SEP 2009 to AUG 2010. The group winners advance to the playoffs, where four will qualify directly and a fifth will face the third placed team in CONCACAF. The draw occurs at 12:30 UTC at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. more...