PARIS _ FIFA President Gianni Infantino wrapped up the organization's first Women's Convention on Friday in Paris by pledging $500 million to women's soccer over the next four years. FIFA says that budget will fund the work of the women's soccer division, including development programs, the World Cup and youth competitions.
Infantino also used the occasion to tout the strides FIFA has made in supporting the women's game since he became president in 2016. In the last three years FIFA has appointed its first female secretary-general, created a women's division and placed six women on the FIFA Council, although critics say those steps are too little and have taken too long.
"We are moving. We are progressing. We are trying," Infantino said. "We are making a step at each time."
Mia Hamm, a two-time world player of the year and two-time World Cup champion with the U.S., also spoke at the conference, saying that continuing the kind of progress Infantino spoke of is dependent on investment.
"This game has a place. This game is marketable. This game is beautiful. You just need to make the investment," said Hamm, who is a co-owner of LAFC, a second-year MLS club that plays in Exposition Park.
"We need more investment for women's football," she said. "More money, more time, more stories (so) that four years from now you'll be hearing girls saying I watched 2019 France and it changed my life."
