With the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup being held in Australia and New Zealand, this episode of Changing The Game looks ahead to the tournament and reflects on the lessons that can be learnt from previous World Cups.  In a change of hosting duties, New Zealand captain, Ali Riley, is thrown into the hot seat alongside Australia vice-captain, Steph Catley, with former Football Fern and current FIFPRO Director of Global Policy and Strategic Relations of Women’s football, Sarah Gregorius asking...

Former United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) player, Tiffany Roberts Sahaydak joins Ali Riley to discuss the 1999 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the impact that the national teams victory had on the development of women’s football in America (3:00-6:55).   With 110 caps for the national team including a debut at the age of 16, Sahaydak recalls the lack of job security following the 1999 World Cup (9:48), how it felt to train with her role models at a young age (24:51) and how current...

In this episode of Changing The Game, Sweden legend and FIFPRO global board member Caroline Jönsson joins Ali Riley to discuss the 2003 FIFA Women’s World Cup and share her perspective on the future of women’s football.   Looking back on her international career, Caroline reveals the difficulties she faced at the competition in the USA (25:50) and how important mental health and wellbeing is as a football player and in all areas of life (11:30). With 80 caps for her country and...

South Africa women’s captain, Janine van Wyk joins Ali Riley to discuss the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France and the impact that the tournament had on the landscape of women’s football (2:09).  Looking back on her debut for the national side in 2005 and her role as captain in 2013, Van Wyk explores the challenges that come with leadership (15:00) and how steps must be taken to improve pathways and funding to nurture talent in South Africa (8:34).  With over 170 caps, Van Wyk is...

In 2011, Japan caused one of the biggest upsets in football history when they beat the USA to become the first Asian nation to win the FIFA Women’s World Cup. In this episode of Changing The Game, Yuki Nagasato joins Ali Riley to discuss that moment (1:46) and the emotional aftermath of lifting the trophy, following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan (12:58).  Reflecting on her footballing journey, Nagasato explains the benefits of playing abroad and gives insight into her...

In this episode of Changing The Game, Ali Riley's special guest is Christine Sinclair. The Canadian legend discusses the 2007 FIFA Women’s World Cup and shares her experiences with the national team that have seen her feature in five World Cups and win an Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020.  Reflecting on her career so far, Sinclair reveals her personal challenges (21:20) while exploring the wider evolution of women’s football and how she believes more must be done in leagues such as the NWSL...

On the 30th anniversary of the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup, Italy’s goal scoring sensation, Carolina Morace, talks to Ali Riley about her memories of that inaugural tournament, including how it was only in more recent years that she had become aware of her own record-breaking achievements from 1991. Reflecting on how attitudes towards the game shifted in the following years, Carolina also recalls the influence that the arrival of international players had on the domestic game in her...

Sweden legend Pia Sundhage joins Ali Riley to discuss the 1995 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the turning point it had for women’s football, in the latest episode of FIFPRO’s Changing the Game. Pia explains how and why she pretended to be a boy when playing as a youngster, and also examines the changes that have taken place since her amateur days, whilst setting out what more needs to be done to advance the professionalism of the modern game. With accolades that include the 2012 FIFA Women's...

In 2015, football changed forever in England as the national team exceeded expectations by reaching the FIFA Women’s World Cup semi-finals, and defeating Germany to finish third in the tournament. In the first episode of Changing The Game, current Best FIFA Women’s Player Lucy Bronze chats to Ali Riley about that historic tournament and explains why it was a pivotal moment, not only on a personal level but also for the impact the team’s success had on the domestic scene back home. Delving...

Welcome to Changing The Game, a FIFPRO podcast with some of the biggest names in women’s football, charting the development and growth of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in an unfiltered, honest fashion. Hosted by New Zealand international Ali Riley, the first episode of Changing The Game arrives November 3rd.