Small business management platform, Xero, has been named as a FIFA Women’s football partner under FIFA’s new commercial partnership structure that will come into effect in 2023.
The collaboration will cover the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023, as well as the 2024 and 2026 editions of the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup and the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup.
Sarai Bareman, FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, commented: “We are thrilled to officially welcome Xero on board as a global FIFA Women’s Football Partner under our new commercial partnership structure, which will allow us to maximise support for the women’s game.
“Not only is this a momentous day for women’s football globally, but as a proud New Zealander, I am so excited that FIFA is partnering with a company that was founded in New Zealand.
“This is a partnership that will accelerate the growing momentum behind women’s football and our ambition to make the game truly global. To have a brand on board that is so passionate about empowering women – and especially one from a co-host of the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 – is wonderful to see.”
Additionally, Xero has stated that it will use the partnership to ‘champion women’s football’ and to further empower women working in small businesses. The firm will also support two FIFA women’s football development programmes: Capacity-Building for Administrators, and Coach Education Scholarships.
Rachael Powell, Xero’s Chief Customer Officer, added: “Having two great brands come together to champion women in football from the community level through to the world stage is a powerful proposition.
“For women’s football to thrive, the financial viability of clubs at all levels is essential to attract, develop and nurture talent. Put simply, we believe that better numbers off the field will deliver better numbers on the field.
“Together, Xero and FIFA share many goals and important values, driven by a passion and purpose to foster participation and community connections. This global partnership not only gives us a platform for brand visibility around the world, it also provides a fabulous opportunity to create deeper relationships with small businesses and communities that support the growth of the women’s game.”
Xero has confirmed that its partnership category will include small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) business management software, accounting and bookkeeping (AB) practice management software, and SME and AB software app stores.