European football celebrates International Women's Day

From awareness campaigns and symbolic matchday moments to digital storytelling and special events, our member associations used the occasion to celebrate progress in the women's game and inspire future generations of girls to get involved in football. Here, we highlight some of those initiatives across the game...

🇭🇷 Croatia

The Croatian Football Federation (HNS) used their Women's European Qualifier against Kosovo to send a clear message that football belongs to everyone. In the build-up to the match, national team players sent messages of encouragement to girls in a promotional video shared across HNS digital channels. The game was officiated by a female referee, the stadium announcer was a woman and players walked onto the pitch with girls as mascots. After the game, players wore T-shirts reading: “Women (don’t) belong in football. Believe in yourself, not what others say.”

HNS

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales

The Football Association of Wales (FAW) highlighted the impact of women across the game through its social media channels. National team players appeared in videos reflecting on team-mates who inspired them and advice they received early in their careers, while articles and graphics shared stories from women working in a variety of roles across Welsh football.

🇫🇷 France

The French Football Federation (FFF) released a new episode of its podcast, 'La Causerie FFF'. The episode featured Grace Geyoro, a player for the France women's national football team, in conversation with Kenza Diab, the founder of Graines de Footballeuses, a grassroots organisation that uses football as a tool for empowerment for girls.

🇸🇲 San Marino

The San Marino Football Federation (FSGC) used International Women's Day to highlight its campaign against gender-based violence. A doll with red shoes – a symbol associated with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – was brought onto the pitch ahead of each Sammarinese Championship match. Clubs also distributed keychains featuring a miniature version of the doll and a QR code linking to a song raising awareness of gender-based violence.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Scotland

Ahead of Scotland's Women's European Qualifier against Luxembourg, the Scottish Football Association brought together coaches, administrators, partners and former players for a networking event at Hampden Park. Featuring presentations and panel discussions, the gathering discussed ways to grow the women's game and turn interest into fandom and commercial growth.

SNS Group

🇽🇰 Kosovo

The Football Federation of Kosovo (FFK) produced an inspiring video with the message ‘Our power changes the game’. Featuring influential women in football, including national team captain Erëleta Memeti, trailblazing referee Lumturie Muhadri and FFK head of coach education Sanije Krasniqi, the video celebrated their leadership, passion and determination, highlighting how they are helping to shape the future of the game in Kosovo.

🇳🇱 Netherlands

The Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB) hosted a Captains' Dinner in Amsterdam’s Rijksmuseum, attended by women’s Eredivisie players and managers. During the dinner, a new symbol was introduced – an honorary medal for captains. Next weekend, this medal will be used by referees for the pre-match coin toss in all women's Eredivisie matches, as well as at 625 amateur clubs throughout the Netherlands. After the dinner, there was an interview with former Dutch international and UEFA Women’s EURO 2017 winner Lieke Martens.

🇮🇪 Ireland

The Women’s President's Cup in Dublin kicked off the League of Ireland women's domestic season. The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) used the occasion to highlight the growth of women's football across the country, promoting the fixture as a celebration of the game.