A proposal by the Norwegian association's delegate, Ellen Wille, at the 45th FIFA Congress in Mexico City in 1986 acted as a torch, which lit the way for a movement that serves as a shining example of FIFA's readiness for change. On behalf of her association and all women footballers, Ellen Wille impressed upon FIFA that more should be done to further women's football and unfold the latent potential in this sector of the game.

Havelange and General Secretary Blatter were serious about supporting the women's sector. As a Iong-serving member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Havelange had seen for himself how women had been given the opportunity to compete as equals in a variety of Olympic disciplines to the sheer delight of the crowds. It was only a question of time before women would be beating the drum for their own world football tournament. If football genuinely intended to achieve universal appeal, it could not turn its back on the female half of the world's population. Following the FIFA President's consent, the women's football scene in pioneering countries such as Norway, Sweden, Germany, Italy and the USA - where 40 percent of all the players enrolled in clubs are girls and women - was given a shot in the arm. The prospects of a world championship afforded women's football an arena that would highlight the attractiveness and style of this type of football. In any case, it was high time to snuff out any remaining prejudice, which, although unfounded, would still be difficult to eradicate.