FIFA Women's World Cup 2023: Beyond Football: Players making a difference in their communities
From combating climate change to inspiring the next generation, Olympics.com takes a look at three players from the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 who are committed to giving back to their communities.
Football
As the world unites to celebrate the pinnacle of women's football on the grand stage of the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, it is essential to recognize that these exceptional athletes are not only impressing on the field but also making a significant impact beyond the confines of the pitch.
Beyond their formidable skills and unwavering passion, several players are utilizing their platform to inspire change and transform lives in their communities.
Olympics.com is shedding light on three remarkable players who are creating lasting social and humanitarian impacts, becoming true champions in every sense of the word.
From helping combat climate change to inspiring the next generation, these players are proving that their influence extends far beyond the football pitch, exemplifying the true spirit of the beautiful game – one that transcends borders and unites communities for a brighter future.
Sofie Junge Pedersen
Alongside playing at this year’s Women’s World Cup, the Juventus and Denmark midfielder is currently leading the largest player-led climate change action ever to be seen.
Following in Pederson’s footsteps, 44 players at the Women’s World Cup have committed to taking climate action over their air travel to and from the tournament this summer.
“I want to ensure my World Cup experience has a positive environmental legacy,” Pedersen said. “Climate change is the biggest issue humanity faces, and I want to be part of the solution. While there are no current sustainable solutions to aviation, as players we are setting an example and taking a tangible step in the right direction.”
After receiving support from her Danish and Juventus teammates, the 31 year old took her idea to Common Goal and Football For Future, who helped build her initial ideas into a stronger initiative which has seen participating players donate money to several different schemes that aim to fight climate change.
Their donations are calculated depending on their specific carbon footprint generated from their air travel throughout the tournament.
Pederson has inspired 43 other competing players to join her in the fight against climate change. Amongst those are Canada’s Jessie Fleming and Italy’s Elena Linari.
“The fact that this is a player-led initiative is inspiring," Linari said. "Like all players, I'm focused on doing the best I can at the World Cup, but I also want to acknowledge that football has an impact on the planet, and most importantly, do something concrete about it."
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - JULY 30: Linda Caicedo of Colombia celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group H match between Germany and Colombia at Sydney Football Stadium on July 30, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
Linda Caicedo
Linda Caicedo is taking the world by storm at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The 18 year old Colombian attacker has already scored twice this tournament, keeping her nation’s hopes of Round of 16 qualification very much alive.
But despite making her professional club debut at the incredibly young age of 14, Caicedo’s journey to the top hasn’t been smooth sailing.
In 2020, at the age of 15, Caicedo was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. A heartbreaking diagnosis that put a temporary stop to her football career.
“Every time we would take Linda to the hospital, she would cry, and she would ask the doctors to please tell her the truth, if she would be able to play fútbol again,” Caicedo’s mother Herlinda told NBC Sports. “That’s all she wanted to know.”
Shortly after her diagnosis, Caicedo underwent surgery to remove the tumour which was followed by an intense six months of chemotherapy.
Just days after finishing her treatment, despite still suffering from the impact of chemotherapy, the striker was back training with her then club, Deportivo Cali. After her final check-up in November 2021, she insisted on playing 40 minutes for her club with a wig and catheter.
Now, less than just two years after her final check-up, she is representing her nation on the world’s largest stage.
But away from the pitch, she continues to inspire and already shows a huge desire to give back to her community.
The 18 year old has taken it upon herself to work as an ambassador for Fundación Mi Sangre, a non-for-profit organisation dedicated to developing life skills as well as leadership and social entrepreneurship within the children and youth of Colombia.
Before setting off for this year’s Women’s World Cup, Caicedo was named the inaugural Ambassador of Resilient Youth by the US government following her work to inspire the next generation.
Right now, there is no greater role model to Colombia's younger generation than Linda Caceido, who after such devastating setbacks is working harder than ever on behalf of her nation.
As her first coach Diego Vasquez once told AFP, “[Caceido] is of these people who was touched by God, who was born for this.”
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 25: Sarina Bolden of Philippines celebrates after scoring her team's first goal during the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group A match between New Zealand and Philippines at Wellington Regional Stadium on July 25, 2023 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Catherine Ivill/Getty Images)
As debutants at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup, the Philippines national team were looking to leave their mark on the world stage.
And despite failing to reach the knockout stage, their performances were enough to inspire their nation.
Their incredible 1-0 victory over co-hosts New Zealand was all thanks to Sarina Bolden who scored her nation’s first ever goal at a Women’s World Cup.
In doing so, she has introduced an entire nation to women’s football and encouraged the next generation of Filipinas to play the sport.
It has only been days since the Philippines last played, but there have already been calls aimed at Filipino sports authorities to increase the investments in football across the country.
Unlike many other countries across the globe, football is an understated sport in the Philippines - with sports such as boxing and basketball attracting peak interest.
However, following the performances of Sarina Bolden and the Filipinas, the pressure is on for authorities to widen footballing opportunities across the Philippines.
It may only be the very beginning, but the Philippines Women’s National Team have given their communities back home hope that one day, they too can be representing their nation on the world stage.