Jill Ellis was named to FIFA’s Technical Advisory Group in September 2021 and tasked with expanding the future of the women’s game. A major topic of conversation among FIFA board members is the possibility of hosting a World Cup every two years.
Ellis has expressed her support for the idea, and confirmed to Kelley O’Hara on the latest episode of The Players’ Pod that she favors the move.
“It’s such a big accelerator for our sport,” Ellis says. “We want to find ways to help leagues around the world.”
The idea of a biennial World Cup has received substantial pushback. FIFA has since denied that the organization ever formally pushed for an expanded World Cup cycle, saying it rather looked into the possibility.
“Let me be very clear that FIFA has not proposed a biennial World Cup. Let’s get the process clear,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said during March’s 72nd FIFA Congress in Doha.
“Players want to play meaningful games,” Ellis says. “Putting my coaching hat on, I’m like, man, I think it would be fantastic.”
While O’Hara agrees with Ellis that the World Cup gives the women’s game a boost, she doesn’t support the two-year cycle.
“I don’t know if I’m on board with a biannual World Cup as a player,” the USWNT defender says.
Listen to the full conversation between O’Hara and Ellis on The Players’ Pod.