• Milan’s Palazzo Del Ghiaccio hosted the first FIFA Football Conference analysing the FIFA Women’s World Cup™
• Representatives from more than 150 member associations took part
• USA coach Jill Ellis reflected on her side’s France 2019 triumph

Held in Milan earlier today, the inaugural FIFA Football Conference analysing the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ was a complete success, with participants enjoying some fascinating presentations and discussions and exhaustive analysis of France 2019. Here are just some of the day’s most notable comments.

What they said

“The conference is very important because it shows that women’s football is really growing. It was a great World Cup in terms of the standard of play, the interest it generated and the fans. Being here helps us to analyse an event like that.”

Milena Bertolini, Italy coach

“It was really interesting, especially the statistical part, which backed up the analysis we ourselves had done on the areas where we needed to improve, which are areas where everyone else is improving. It helps us understand that we have to do it faster than everyone else.”

Phil Neville, England coach

“We were very honoured to take part. We’re a small country so being here at events like this is really important in helping us improve women’s football in our country.”

Dominique Wacalie, New Caledonia director of football

“It was hugely important because everyone that’s here experienced the World Cup from close up, with their confederations and associations. It was the best one ever and to be able to share that experience at this event is just fantastic.”

Aline Pellegrino, former Brazil international

“I think this is a great way to round off the World Cup, and having all this information to hand just gets you thinking about the next one. It was an honour for me to share my analysis and thoughts. You can learn an awful lot from your colleagues and I hope I’ve done my bit by sharing information about our journey in France.”

Jill Ellis, USA coach

“I loved it. Just looking around me and seeing all these people here is amazing in itself. I played my first World Cup in 1991 and there was nowhere near this amount of interest! Now we’ve got data, analysis, information and some very qualified people explaining the next steps for women’s football.” 

Pia Sundhage, Brazil coach