(Fifa VP Jack Warner and Sports Minister Anil Roberts pose with the Soca Princesses)The FIFA Under-17 Women’s World Cup kicks off Sunday in Port of Spain, Trinidad with 16 countries eyeing the coveted honour of becoming the number one team in the world.
The opening match at the Hasely Crawford Stadium is between Nigeria and defending champions, North Korea.
It will be preceded by what has been described as a "spectacular" cultural presentation showing the host country, Trinidad and Tobago.
Fans will also be able to watch Trinidad and Tobago take on Chile in what coach Even Pellerud has described as a must-win game.
It's the second time FIFA is hosting such a tournament, showcasing its youngest players.
The inaugural event was held two years ago in New Zealand at which North Korea defeated the Unites States 2-1. Germany beat England to take third place.
“Women’s football has come a long way in recent years, and today about 30 million girls and women play the game. It is vital that we continue to raise awareness of the positive values of women’s football as well as its social and individual benefits in terms of health, fitness, social integration, self-esteem, enjoyment and friendship,” Sepp Blatter, president of FIFA has said.
“We are confident that this U-17 tournament will leave a legacy for the development and expansion of women’s football,” he added.
On July 25, the Soca Princesses drew 1-1 with Brazil, then beat Ireland 3-0 on August 28.
The coach for the TT team is excited about the possibilities. That enthusiasm is shared by Jamaal Shabazz, Assistant Director of women’s football in the country, who praised Pellerud for the work and predicted that the girls are going “to light it up”. The tournament ends on September 25.
The national team:
- Keri Myers
- Linfah Jones, Shalette Alexander (goalkeepers)
- Khadisha Debesette, Patrice Vincent, Rehana Omardeen, Courtney Bahadursingh, Lauren Schmidt (defenders)
- Victoria Swift, Khadidra Debesette, Kayla Taylor, Emma Abdul, Jasmine Sampson, Liana Hinds (midfielders)
- Camille Charles, Jo-Marie Lewis, Nykosi Simmons, Diarra Simmons, Brianna Ryce, Anique Walker, Jonelle Warrick (strikers)
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