Changing The Game

With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup being held in Australia and New Zealand, this episode of Changing The Game looks ahead to the tournament and reflects on the lessons that can be learnt from previous World Cups. In a change of hosting duties, New Zealand captain, Ali Riley, is thrown into the hot seat alongside Australia vice-captain, Steph Catley, with former Football Fern and current FIFPRO Director of Global Policy and Strategic Relations of Women’s football, Sarah Gregorius asking the questions. Catley and Riley open up on the different levels of respect towards women’s football around the world (3:08-5:17) and how increased social media coverage can financially benefit female players (9:24). With the 2023 World Cup being held in their home countries, the pair also discuss what the tournament slogan, ‘Beyond Greatness’ means to them as both football players and as fans of women’s sport (19:52). With extensive experience for their respective national teams, the conversation turns to their excitement to play in a home World Cup, the promises they hope will be fulfilled at the tournament (21:28) and end the episode by revealing the one thing that they wish people would understand about women’s football (43:14). We hope you enjoyed the Changing The Game series. Make sure you like and follow to stay updated with the latest news and content from FIFPRO. Instagram - @fifpro Twitter - @FIFPRO Facebook - FIFPRO

Former United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) player, Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak joins Ali Riley to discuss the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the impact that the national teams victory had on the development of women’s football in America (3:00-6:55). With 110 caps for the national team including a debut at the age of 16, Sahaydak recalls the lack of job security following the 1999 World Cup (9:48), how it felt to train with her role models at a young age (24:51) and how current players can prepare for life after football (14:18). With a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics to her name and having participated in three World Cups, discussion turns to Sahaydak’s post playing career as a Head Coach and what needs to be done to get more women involved in coaching and refereeing (30:41). Stay tuned for the final episode of FIFPRO's Changing The Game series with Steph Catley, Sarah Gregorius and Ali Riley out 29th December.

In this episode of Changing The Game, Sweden legend and FIFPRO global board member Caroline Jönsson joins Ali Riley to discuss the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup and share her perspective on the future of women’s football. Looking back on her international career, Caroline reveals the difficulties she faced at the competition in the USA (25:50) and how important mental health and wellbeing is as a football player and in all areas of life (11:30). With 80 caps for her country and several individual accolades, the conversation turns to Jönsson’s interest in sports psychology (16:30), her responsibilities as a former player (32:41) and why she became a FIFPRO global board member.

South Africa women’s captain, Janine van Wyk joins Ali Riley to discuss the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and the impact that the tournament had on the landscape of women’s football (2:09). Looking back on her debut for the national side in 2005 and her role as captain in 2013, Van Wyk explores the challenges that come with leadership (15:00) and how steps must be taken to improve pathways and funding to nurture talent in South Africa (8:34). With over 170 caps, Van Wyk is the most capped South African football player of all time and discussion turns to the positive effects that sport has had on her life, and her ambition to give back to her community through JVW FC; the club she founded in 2013 which provides opportunities for girls in South Africa to play football (22:30).

In 2011, Japan caused one of the biggest upsets in football history when they beat the USA to become the first Asian nation to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup. In this episode of Changing The Game, Yuki Nagasato joins Ali Riley to discuss that moment (1:46) and the emotional aftermath of lifting the trophy, following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan (12:58). Reflecting on her footballing journey, Nagasato explains the benefits of playing abroad and gives insight into her decision to return to Japan to play in a men's side alongside her brother - a groundbreaking move which sparked mass media attention (11:20). Having participated in three World Cups and two Olympic games, Nagasato discusses the demands of playing football at a high level and opens up on her time in the national team, revealing the toll that football took on her mental health and how she has since regained her love for the game by embracing activities away from the pitch (17:23). Stay tuned for the next episode of FIFPRO's Changing The Game with Janine van Wyk, out 8th December.

In this episode of Changing The Game, Ali Riley's special guest is Christine Sinclair. The Canadian legend discusses the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and shares her experiences with the national team that have seen her feature in five World Cups and win an Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020. Reflecting on her career so far, Sinclair reveals her personal challenges (21:20) while exploring the wider evolution of women’s football and how she believes more must be done in leagues such as the NWSL to give female players the working conditions they deserve (11:31). With achievements that include the record for the most international goals scored, the discussion turns to her own motivations and her desire to leave the game in a better place than she found it (3:20). Stay tuned for the next episode of FIFPRO's Changing The Game with Yuki Nagasato, out 1st December.

On the 30th anniversary of the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, Italy’s goal scoring sensation, Carolina Morace, talks to Ali Riley about her memories of that inaugural tournament, including how it was only in more recent years that she had become aware of her own record-breaking achievements from 1991. Reflecting on how attitudes towards the game shifted in the following years, Carolina also recalls the influence that the arrival of international players had on the domestic game in her country and emphasises the importance of modern female role models for the next generation.

Sweden legend Pia Sundhage joins Ali Riley to discuss the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the turning point it had for women’s football, in the latest episode of FIFPRO’s Changing the Game. Pia explains how and why she pretended to be a boy when playing as a youngster, and also examines the changes that have taken place since her amateur days, whilst setting out what more needs to be done to advance the professionalism of the modern game. With accolades that include the 2012 FIFA Women's World Coach of the Year, Pia has enjoyed a highly successful career as a coach since retiring as a player and she shares the joy she has found in this role and reveals her hopes for future generations. Stay tuned for the next episode of FIFPRO’s Changing The Game with Carolina Morace, out 17th November.

In 2015, football changed forever in England as the national team exceeded expectations by reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals, and defeating Germany to finish third in the tournament. In the first episode of Changing The Game, current Best FIFA Women’s Player Lucy Bronze chats to Ali Riley about that historic tournament and explains why it was a pivotal moment, not only on a personal level but also for the impact the team’s success had on the domestic scene back home. Delving into the changing professional landscape, the right-back explains how social media is a good thing for women’s football and gives the inside scoop on her time in France at Olympique Lyonnais. Stay tuned for the next episode of FIFPRO’s Changing The Game with Pia Sundhage, out Wednesday 10th November.

Welcome to Changing The Game, a FIFPRO podcast with some of the biggest names in women’s football, charting the development and growth of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in an unfiltered, honest fashion. Hosted by New Zealand international Ali Riley, the first episode of Changing The Game arrives November 3rd.