FIFA and Xero to empower women and change footballing landscape across the globe

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Image credit: FIFA

FIFA’s redesigned commercial structure for the women’s game to grow and thrive has resulted in a partnership with Xero to enhance opportunities supporting the expansion of the women’s game.

Xero, a cloud-based accounting software company, will focus on growing participation through this collaboration – ensuring women have easy access to sporting communities, in addition to enabling commercial success and encouraging leadership.

Through Xero’s technological services, they are able to facilitate two FIFA women’s football development programs: Capacity Building for administrators and Coach Education Scholarships, assisting in creating easier pathways for women coaching qualifications and holistic footballing development in local communities.

Under the redesigned commercial structure, Xero is one of only two FIFA Women’s Football official partners, with their long-term partnership including coverage of the FIFA Women’s Word Cup 2023, as well as the 2024 and 2026 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, and also the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.

Over several years, footballing opportunities for women have been significantly different compared to men – thus FIFA, along with Xero – share the same value-based approach and commitment to support the women’s game, not just on the field but also off the field to provide performance and financial viability to community clubs to promote, develop and attract talented young individuals.

Speaking about the partnership, Xero Chief Customer Officer Rachael Powell said via press release:

“Xero and FIFA share many goals and important values, driven by belief in women and what they can achieve in the beautiful game of football and in business. To realise this vision, we’ll work together in pursuit of better numbers off the field and better numbers on it.”

FIFA Chief Women’s Football Officer Sarai Bareman added via press release:

“This is a partnership that will help accelerate the growing momentum behind the development of women’s football. Having a brand who is so passionate about empowering women is wonderful to see.”

Xero along with FIFA has opened up opportunities, to have a positive impact on the future of women’s football from the grassroots right up to the elite level of the game on and off the pitch.

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Football Victoria marks World Autism Understanding Month with Expanded Inclusion Program

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Image Credit: Football Victoria

Football Victoria has marked World Autism Understanding Month with a series of practical inclusion initiatives delivered in partnership with Aspect, reinforcing the governing body’s commitment to making football accessible for autistic participants across all levels of the game.

The partnership, now in its second year, has moved beyond awareness into structural change. Environmental assessments have been completed across multiple programs and match days, including at Collingwood City FC and the All-Abilities League match day at Northcote City FC. Each assessment identifies accessibility barriers and provides concrete inclusion principles integrated into the physical and operational realities of football environments.

Ahead of the 2025 Football For All Gala Day, Aspect conducted an environmental assessment of The Home of the Matildas, informing the development of a Visual Story designed to help participants with autism understand the venue and event before arriving. The same approach has been applied to FV’s GO Camps program, giving participants and families the information they need to engage with confidence.

Aspect has also delivered multiple education sessions for coaches throughout the partnership, with a dedicated session for referees held on April 20, the first of its kind, extending autism understanding across match officials and into all parts of the game day experience.

Football Victoria has also joined the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Initiative, with training and education to be rolled out across the organisation in the coming months, strengthening its capacity to recognise and support participants with non-visible disabilities.

The initiatives reflect a recognition that access to sport is not guaranteed by an open registration form. For many participants with autism and their families, the barriers are environmental, informational and social; and removing them requires sustained investment in education, assessment and design.

UEFA reaffirm partnership with Oceania Football Confederation

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Image credit: UEFA.com

Last week, UEFA signed a Memoriam of Understanding (MoU) with Oceania’s football governing body to continue its commitment  to football in Oceania.

 

United through football

While being two governing bodies separated by distance, the MoU stands as a symbol of unity and collaboration which supports mutual growth.

The agreement will run until 2031, displaying both parties’ commitment to long-term development through football.

“Europe and Oceania are connected by a shared belief in the importance of investing in people as the foundation of football’s future,” said UEFA President, Aleksander Čeferin, via press release.

“This Memorandum of Understanding brings together UEFA’s experience in elite development and education with OFC’s clear focus on nurturing young talent and strengthening football leadership.”

Furthermore, OFC President, Lambert Maltock, also expressed his confidence in the agreement to support players and pathways alike.

“Our partnership with UEFA reflects a shared commitment to developing the game at every level – from grassroots to elite,” said Maltock.

“By investing in our people and working collaboratively, we are building a more connected, capable and globally competitive football ecosystem for Oceania.”

 

What the agreement promises

Continuing UEFA’s recent MoUs with CAF (Africa), Concacaf (North, Central America and the Caribbean) and CONMEBOL (South America), the partnership will seek to address several key aspects. These include:

  • Youth football opportunities – supporting OFC’s annual boy’s and girl’s U15 tournaments.
  • Knowledge exchange – reciprocal observer programmes at club finals and national team tournaments.
  • Football development – delivered through the UEFA Together programme.
  • Coach education – sharing of technical expertise and learning activities.
  • Refereeing – opportunities to referee youth tournaments, courses and technical programmes.

Moreover, the agreement outlines a commitment to ensuring football remains a tolerant and inclusive sport, capable of uniting communities and empowering individuals.

Therefore, the MoU between UEFA and the OFC is symbolic of aligned values, principles and vision for the future of football in both regions.

 

Final thoughts

An alliance of this nature – especially in these uncertain times for global cooperation – is vital.

Football has the power to unite like nothing else.

So governing bodies must recognise the value of connecting across cultures, countries and continents, not only for what it can do for football, but how it can promote fundamental values within the sport as a whole.

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