The highest governing body of football, FIFA has announced Visa as the first official FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Partner. This collaboration shapes Visa’s long-term commitments around the globe to grow women’s football. The company joins the newly launched commercial partnership structure, which will come into effect in 2023.
The deal features Visa to instrument advanced payment technology at tournament venues. Adding to it, the company will bring memorable experiences for fans, ranging from providing innovative payment methods to leveraging Visa’s exclusive marketing campaign assets and therefore, will drive mutual business priorities with clients.
Next year, the Visa programme will start the Player of the Match award and will work to produce unforgettable experiences for fans to elevate and build on the unprecedented momentum surrounding the women’s game.
Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, said, “As a long-standing FIFA Partner and a proud supporter of women’s football, it was a natural choice for Visa to become the first-ever Women’s Football Partner at FIFA.
“Visa is well known for supporting athletes and seeing the positive benefits that can come through sport. They are advocates for equality, diversity and inclusion, core values that are shared by FIFA and the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as we grow and celebrate the women’s game.”
Commenting on the partnership, Andrea Fairchild, Senior Vice-President, Global Sponsorship Strategy at Visa, said, “Through our continued partnership with FIFA, we believe we can shine a brighter light on equality, diversity and inclusion for women footballers, both on and off the pitch.
“Our commitment to women’s football is not short-term – we see these women as game-changers in the biggest sense of the word and love to see the new heights women’s football continues to reach. We are thrilled to continue this trajectory as we look toward Australia and New Zealand in 2023.”
Visa’s partnership with FIFA aims to be a change that can contribute to the rising recognition of women’s football. Visa’s support goes beyond the field with programmes designed to assist athletes throughout their careers. Over 500 athletes, including 22 female footballers have been backed by team Visa since its inception in 2000.
The newly expanded FIFA Women’s World Cup will take place in nine cities across Australia and New Zealand in 2023. The tournament for the first time will visit the southern hemisphere and feature 32 teams.