An Inside Look at the French Football Federation’s Women’s Football Diplomacy with Iraq: Inspiring every girl in Iraq to play football
A summary of the research:
This study examines the French Football Federation’s (FFF) women’s football diplomacy initiative with Iraq, an effort to promote women’s football development as a form of international engagement. Launched in 2021, the program provided training for over 200 Iraqi players and coaches through a series of workshops in Iraq and France. The initiative aimed to strengthen Iraq’s women’s football ecosystem while also serving as a diplomatic tool, challenging cultural perceptions and fostering new opportunities for Iraqi female athletes. The collaboration between the FFF and the Iraq Football Association (IFA) demonstrated how sports diplomacy can influence not only sporting development but also societal attitudes toward women in football.
The study highlights how this initiative contributed to broader diplomatic relations between France and Iraq, aligning with France’s commitment to gender equality in sports. The program provided Iraqi women’s football with much-needed technical expertise, coaching support, and international exposure. However, long-term sustainability remains a challenge, as continued success depends on securing financial and structural support. Despite this, the initiative has already begun to shift perceptions about women’s football in Iraq and has served as a model for future sports diplomacy efforts.
Key Takeaways:
Sports Diplomacy Can Strengthen Women’s Football Development – International partnerships like the FFF-IFA initiative provide crucial technical training and visibility for women’s football. Federations should actively seek diplomatic collaborations to enhance development opportunities.
Cultural Perceptions Can Be Shifted Through Football – The program helped change societal attitudes about women’s participation in football. Clubs and federations should invest in outreach programs and visibility campaigns to continue breaking down barriers for female players.
Sustainability Requires Long-Term Commitment – While short-term successes are evident, the long-term impact depends on continued investment in infrastructure, funding, and training programs. Football administrators should prioritize long-term strategies to ensure sustained growth in women’s football.
Authors: Lindsay Sarah Krasnoff & Daniel G. Kelly II
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