Zürich, 31 October 2001 - Meeting on 30 October, the FIFA Committee for Women's Football under the chairmanship of Per Ravn Omdal (Norway) heard detailed presentations regarding the next FIFA Women's World Cup in 2003 and next year's inaugural FIFA U-19 Women's World Championship.

The FIFA Women's World Cup is scheduled to be played in four cities in China - Shanghai, Hangzhou, Wuhan and Chengdu - from 28 September to 16 October 2003, with 16 teams taking part.

The first ever U-19 event will take place from 17 August to 1 September 2002 in three Canadian cities - Edmonton, Vancouver and Victoria. The competition has already seen nearly 100 teams contesting qualifiers for the 12 places at the finals in Canada.

As for the Women's Olympic Football Tournament, the Committee strongly recommended that for sporting reasons the number of teams participating remain 12 in 2004 as had originally been confirmed by the International Olympic Committee, who have since suggested that only 10 teams take part. This issue will form part of the agenda for a meeting between FIFA President Joseph S. Blatter and IOC President Dr Jacques Rogge on 7 November in Lausanne.

The Committee asked the FIFA General Secretary to develop a system that would encourage the six continental confederations to increase the number of women referees officiating not only at women's matches but also at certain men's matches.

The Committee also heard that FIFA is planning to introduce a monthly ranking for women's national teams -- as has existed for men's teams since 1993 -- as from the second half of next year, and that this year's FIFA World Player of the Year Gala (in Zurich on 17 December) will include an award for the Women's World Player of the Year for the first time.

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FIFA Communications Division
Zürich, 31 October 2001