International Football
OUTSPOKEN AMERICAN WOMEN CAPTAIN, RAPINOE BLASTS FIFA
Ahead of this Sunday’s FIFA Women’s World Cup final in France, Megan Rapinoe has blasted FIFA for not doing enough to promote women’s football.
“We are worthy of that investment,” she said. “I know we take a great deal of pride trying to push the game forward, not only in our own country but abroad,” Rapinoe said, speaking for all her teammates who embrace this leadership position.
Back in America there are plenty who dismiss Megan Rapinoe because she knelt for the national anthem, because she has expressed her unwillingness to visit the Donald Trump White House, because, well, there are all sorts of reasons. Rapinoe acknowledges that. She acknowledges she isn’t always the easiest to support.
“Maybe you don’t agree with every single way that I do it or
[what]
gets discussed,” she said. “I know I am not perfect.”
To focus solely on Trump or the flag is to miss Megan Rapinoe in full, to miss her blast away with forceful points, humor and impossible-to-ignore truths. It is to miss why she is so beloved across this game.
This kind of talk still ruffles feathers in the United States. It is a neutron bomb in some of these other places.
What she has become is not just a national figure, but a global one with the potential to become a historic figure in women’s sports everywhere. You could practically hear the gasp of FIFA leadership as she took every question and said what others won’t or can’t.
Someone asked her about how FIFA said it would double the prize money for the 2023 Women’s World Cup from $30 million to $60 million. It sounds good, except the men’s side is being raised by $40 million to a total of $440 million, so the pay gap is actually … increasing.
“If you truly care about the game, are you letting the gap grow?” she asked. “I’m not saying the prize money is $450 million this time or the next time around. I understand for a number of different reasons the men’s game financially is far advanced from the women’s game.
“But if you really care, are you letting the gap grow?” she asked. “… We should double it now and use that number to double it for the next time.”
Rapinoe also mocked FIFA for scheduling two other major men’s championships on Sunday, the Gold Cup final in North/Central America and the Caribbean, and also the Copa America final in South America. It’s the kind of thing that draws attention from the women and would never occur on the men’s sid
“This is the World Cup final,” Rapinoe said. “Cancel everything [that] day. I don’t know how that happened. I think I heard somewhere that they didn’t think about it, which is the problem. You didn’t think about it? The World Cup final is set so far in advance, it’s actually unbelievable.”
And there’s the endless challenge for more countries to invest in girls, to see them as equals, to encourage not just on the field success, but the kind of leadership and lessons that come from athletic competition.
“If you really care … are you letting federations have their teams play two games in the four years between each tournament?” Rapinoe asked. “No, you are not.”
FIFA is rich beyond comprehension. It has the money to do all sorts of things. It can pressure national federations. It’s never shown the will, though.
“You need attention and detail … in the women’s game every single day,” Rapinoe said. “I understand it is a very complex problem to be a part of it, but the resources are there. The willingness and the brain power is all there. People wanting to work in the women’s game and make it as good as we can is all there. It’s just a matter of wanting to do it and making it happen.”
Her questions are direct. Her solutions are practical. She was asked about mandating that only women can coach women’s teams . She brushed it off and said the issue should be training young female coaches around the world so that there are more qualified candidates.
“So [women] get judged on their skills the way men are,” she said, noting the same should be true of female referees.
This is the biggest and the best Women’s World Cup ever. It was underpromoted, especially here in France. It succeeded in spite of FIFA, not because of it.
All it proved, she kept saying, is so much more is possible. That women everywhere deserve at least the opportunities they have in America.
“Investing in infrastructure, in training programs or academies for women, for coaching for women, for all of it,” she said.
Who could argue against that? Who could fault an American for focusing on the plight of others?
Her words were ringing out here, right under FIFA’s nose, right inside FIFA’s house, right at FIFA’s press conference. It’s a long loathsome and corrupt organization that wants these women to take what they’ve been given and be quiet … shut up and dribble.
Megan Rapinoe is never shutting up.
She’s going to do everything she can to make the world listen to her, this American original with a megaphone and a heart that FIFA can’t silence.
Nigeria’s Super Eagles put up a spirited performance but were edged 2-1 by Portugal in an international friendly at the Estádio Dr. Magalhães Pessoa in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The match served as Portugal’s final tune-up ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America and offered the Nigerians a chance to test themselves against one of Europe’s leading sides led by veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Portugal drew first blood in the 23rd minute when Pedro Neto broke the deadlock, firing past Nigerian goalkeeper Maduka Okoye after a lively opening period in which both teams created opportunities.
The Super Eagles responded positively and were rewarded eight minutes before halftime when striker Akor Adams found the equaliser. The goal capped an impressive Nigerian fightback and ensured the teams went into the break level at 1-1.
Ronaldo, making a rare appearance against Nigeria, started the match and remained on the pitch until the 67th minute. The 41-year-old was given a standing ovation by the home crowd when he was replaced by Gonçalo Ramos.
Portugal made several changes after the interval as coach Roberto Martinez rotated his squad in preparation for the World Cup. Despite the substitutions, the hosts continued to press for a winner.
Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Francisco Conceição struck the decisive goal, restoring Portugal’s lead and ultimately securing victory for the European side.
Nigeria battled to find another equaliser in the closing stages but Portugal’s defence held firm to preserve the 2-1 result.
The defeat means Portugal have now won both meetings between the two countries. Their first encounter came in Lisbon in November 2022, when the Portuguese recorded a convincing 4-0 victory in a pre-World Cup friendly.
While the result will disappoint Nigerian supporters, the Super Eagles can take encouragement from their resilient display against one of the teams widely tipped to make a strong impact at the World Cup. Akor Adams’ goal and Nigeria’s competitive showing against a star-studded Portuguese side provided positive signs as the team continues its rebuilding process under the national team set-up.
For Portugal, the victory provides a confidence boost as they head to North America, where they hope their talented midfield and experienced squad can propel them to a successful World Cup campaign.
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Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting line-up when the Selecao take on Nigeria in an international friendly match which kicks off in a few minutes tonight.
The 41-year-old forward, who remains a key figure in the Portuguese national team, has been named among the starters as Portugal continue preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures.
Ronaldo’s inclusion is expected to add further excitement to the encounter, with Nigerian fans eager to see one of football’s greatest players in action against the Super Eagles.
The match offers Nigeria another opportunity to test themselves against top European opposition, while Portugal will look to sharpen their squad ahead of future international assignments.
Kick-off is scheduled for later tonight, with both teams expected to field strong line-ups in what promises to be an entertaining contest.
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By Kunle Solaja
Nigeria’s Super Eagles and Portugal will meet for only the second time at the senior level when they clash in an international friendly in Leiria on Wednesday night.
The encounter comes under remarkably similar circumstances to their first meeting in November 2022, when Portugal defeated Nigeria 4-0 in Lisbon just days before the FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
Once again, Portugal are using Nigeria as their final warm-up match before the World Cup. Four years ago, the Portuguese selected the Super Eagles to prepare for a group-stage clash against Ghana, the team that denied Nigeria a place at Qatar 2022.
History appears to be repeating itself. This time, Portugal are preparing for a World Cup opening fixture against the Democratic Republic of Congo, another team that shattered Nigeria’s World Cup ambitions by eliminating the Super Eagles from the qualification race.
The match at the 29,000-capacity Estádio Dr Magalhães Pessoa offers Nigeria an opportunity to avenge the heavy defeat suffered four years ago and test themselves against one of Europe’s strongest sides.
Portugal coach Roberto Martinez has assembled a star-studded squad featuring five-time Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo, Bruno Fernandes, Bernardo Silva, Ruben Dias, Rafael Leão and João Félix.
The Portuguese head into the encounter unbeaten in their last four matches, having recorded victories over the United States and Chile while drawing with Mexico.
Nigeria, under coach Eric Chelle, have also enjoyed an impressive run. Since taking charge 15 months ago, the Franco-Malian tactician has overseen 24 matches and suffered only one defeat in regulation time.
With both teams carrying impressive recent records, Wednesday’s friendly promises to be far more competitive than the scoreline from their last meeting suggests.
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