Football Australia acknowledges the announcement from FIFA that it will partner with several United Nations agencies to highlight a range of social causes through eight (8) themed armbands at the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023™️, and that team captains will be given options to choose from these causes.
Equality, diversity and inclusion are essential values for Football Australia. While FIFA’s proposal does not explicitly highlight the LGBTQIA+ community – a community important to Football Australia and the CommBank Matildas which they have supported previously, including when the CommBank Matildas became the first national team to wear rainbow numbers earlier this year – we welcome the option of an ‘Inclusion’ armband, which includes rainbow colours.
Football Australia is also pleased to see the opportunity to recognise Indigenous Peoples as one of the causes identified by FIFA for its themed armbands, with host Associations Football Australia and New Zealand Football also anticipating guidance from FIFA in the coming week in relation to the hanging of First Nations flags in stadia during the tournament.
James Johnson, Football Australia CEO, said: “This decision follows dialogue by FIFA with stakeholders, and we acknowledge their efforts to listen to the players and the competing teams.
“It has always been our vision for the tournament to be truly inclusive and respectful of the diverse nature of Australia and we will continue to listen to the views of our players and community in relation to matters of deep importance to them.
“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is going to be a historic moment for global football and is on track to become the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history.
“We’re ready to welcome the world and we’re confident that everyone who plays or attends will feel they are part of this global celebration,” concluded Johnson.
