Gianni Infantino's commitment to women's soccer is no lip service | Opinion
Gianni Infantino's commitment to women's soccer is no lip service | Opinion
Jill Ellis, Opinion contributorThu, February 26, 2026 at 12:03 PM UTC
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Gianni Infantino's commitment to women's soccer is no lip service | Opinion
When you have been in women’s sports for more than 20 years, you know what lip service looks like. You have seen decisions made for optics rather than intention. You develop a strong instinct for who is serious and who is simply responding to pressure.
When I met with FIFA President Gianni Infantino before joining FIFA, our conversation was direct.
I said, “We need to accelerate change, and I have strong ideas that may differ from yours.”
His response was succinct and sincere: “I want to hear opinions that are different from mine, I want to be a good teammate, and I believe we can grow women’s football at least times 10.”
That exchange set the tone. I did not step into this role to protect comfort. Mine or anyone else’s. Women’s football is at a critical moment. It has momentum, commercial credibility, and global reach. But there are still gaps that require urgency, discipline, and a willingness to think differently.
One year into my role, I have seen firsthand Gianni’s commitment to accelerating the women’s game and increasing women’s influence in shaping its future. Recently, five new committees were established across every level of women’s football, bringing together global advocates and technical experts to share experience, challenge assumptions, and raise standards worldwide. That structure matters. It signals permanence, not a moment.
Under his leadership, investment has moved from rhetoric to action. Women’s World Cup prize money has increased significantly and the direction is clear; it will continue to grow.
Dedicated player compensation, improved standards, and enhanced services have changed the lives of our players. Ambitious commercial targets are now in place to elevate the FIFA Women’s World Cup into a billion-dollar property, with revenue reinvested directly into the women’s game globally.
Ambition alone does not move the needle. Execution does.
We have had serious discussions about closing competitive gaps between regions, strengthening media valuation, and achieving greater commercial equity. Broadcast agreements are improving. Greater support for women in refereeing, coaching, and administration is underway. Structural progress is not always loud, but it is measurable, and it compounds.
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Gianni has championed expanded tournaments, new global club competitions, and broader elite pathways. Expansion creates opportunity, but we have been equally clear that quality must rise alongside growth. We have debated the urgency of elevating more women to positions of influence, and those conversations have translated into deliberate action.
Meaningful change is not a headline. It is a sequence of strategic decisions that lead to measurable outcomes. I respect that Gianni is willing to engage in those decisions rather than avoid them.
At the same time, women’s football cannot and should not depend on one leader’s intent. The game belongs to member associations, leagues, clubs, coaches, players, partners and the fans. Collective ownership is essential. Progress accelerates when everyone moves together.
There is undeniably more work ahead. Pushing for that is not optional for me. It is imperative.
The women’s game today is bigger, better resourced, and more prioritized globally than it was a decade ago. That did not happen by accident. It required advocacy at every level – especially from the top.
With partnership and committed leadership, growth will not be limited to times 10. It will be transformative.
Globally accomplished, respected, and renowned women’s football coach, club president, and executive, Jill Ellis serves as FIFA’s Chief Football Officer.
Appointed in December 2024, Ellis is a member of FIFA’s executive management team and leads the development and implementation of FIFA’s global football strategy.
Ellis is the only coach in history to win back-to-back FIFA Women’s World Cup titles, leading the U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) to victory in 2015 and 2019. A two-time recipient of The Best FIFA Women’s Coach award, she remains the most successful coach in USWNT history with a record of 106 wins, 7 losses, and 19 ties.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gianni Infantino's commitment to women's soccer is no lip service - Opinion
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