Sports
Visa Raises Global Investment in Women’s Football
Heading into the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™, Visa has announced an expanded commitment to women’s football, leveraging the brand’s sponsorship platform to inspire women athletes amidst the global gender equality and women’s empowerment movement.
“Sport presents a huge opportunity for women to pursue their dreams on and off the field,” said Lynne Biggar, chief marketing and communications officer, Visa. “Women make the vast majority of consumer purchases and start millions of small businesses a year. By making a substantial investment in women’s initiatives, including soccer, Visa is celebrating this powerful global force.”
Visa’s newest investments include supporting Women’s Soccer in the United States and Beyond; and partnership with United States Soccer Federation.
Visa has entered a five-year sponsorship agreement with the world leader in women’s soccer, the U.S. Soccer Federation, to contribute to its long-standing investment in the development of women’s soccer and support the U.S. Women’s National Team through 2023.
The support of U.S. Women’s Soccer complements Visa’s global investment in women’s soccer through partnerships with UEFA Women’s Football and Visa’s longstanding partnership with FIFA, including the FIFA Women’s World Cup™, FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Uruguay 2018 and FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup France 2018.
Visa will be the presenting sponsor of the SheBelieves Cup, which was started in the run-up to the FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015™, a four-team women’s international team tournament played in the United States each year.
The tournament is based around U.S. Soccer’s SheBelieves initiative, focused on inspiring young girls and women to accomplish their goals and dreams. The agreement between U.S. Soccer and Visa was facilitated by Soccer United Marketing (SUM), U.S. Soccer’s partner for the past 15 years.
“We are incredibly excited Visa is partnering with us on our overall mission to become the preeminent sport in the U.S.,” said Jay Berhalter, chief commercial officer, U.S. Soccer. “With Visa joining us in our long-term investment in women’s soccer, we will continue to increase opportunities for women players, coaches and referees at all levels. Overall, we are looking forward to Visa helping us reach our mission by increasing participation, developing world class players, coaches and referees, and increasing fan engagement.”
“Soccer United Marketing is proud to facilitate this multi-year partnership between U.S. Soccer and Visa,” said Jen Cramer, senior vice president, SUM. “We are always looking to establish partnerships with iconic, forward-thinking brands who are committed to advancing the game and developing female leaders for the next generation both in athletics and business. This exciting relationship between Visa and U.S. Soccer will elevate soccer’s popularity to even higher levels in North America, especially in advance of this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup™.”
Also, Visa is launching a new U.S. marketing campaign celebrating the U.S. Women’s National Team. The centerpiece is a new ad spotlighting stars Mallory Pugh, Becky Sauerbrunn, Rose Lavelle, Jessica McDonald, Abby Dahlkemper and Adrianna Franch as they attempt to earn a fourth star by winning the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019™ title. The ad provides a glimpse into the players’ hard work and determination as they strive to achieve greatness on the world stage this summer. This builds upon Visa’s new global ad campaign, “One Moment Can Change the Game,” focused on elevating women in sports.
“My teammates inspire me in so many ways every day,” said Mallory Pugh, United States Women’s National Team Forward. “I am so proud to be part of Visa’s campaign which celebrates athletes the way we are and showcases the magic moments on the field. Visa’s campaign is another incredibly empowering message for women and girls.”
At the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019, Visa is the presenting sponsor of the Player of the Match, celebrating women soccer players. Soccer fans worldwide will have the opportunity to vote on FIFA.com for their favourite player for each of the 52 matches during the tournament. Players can be selected for their outstanding performance – amazing play, display of sportsmanship, or some other moment on the field.
The Player of the Match, Presented by Visa, trophy is designed to celebrate and create an opportunity for fans to have a voice and contribute to the growing recognition of the women in soccer across the world.
Team Visa Expansion
Visa’s roster of Team Visa athletes is expanding, as 18 new women’s soccer players from 16 countries will join Team Visa. They include: Ellie Carpenter (Australia), Christine Sinclair (Canada), Nadia Nadim (Denmark), Lucy Bronze (England), Fran Kirby (England), Nikita Parris (England), Eugenie Le Sommer(France), Dzsenifer Marozsán (Germany), Laura Giuliani (Italy), Shanice vd Sanden (Netherlands), Caroline Graham Hansen (Norway), Ewa Pajor (Poland), Kim Little (Scotland), Ramona Bachmann (Switzerland), Alexia Putellas (Spain), Kosovare Asllani (Sweden), Didem Karagenç (Turkey) and Megan Rapinoe (United States).
Since the beginning of the Team Visa program in 2000, on average fifty four percent of Team Visa have been women, including the newly announced 18 women soccer players from around the world. The program has supported more than 400 athletes and aims to provide athletes with the resources needed to achieve their goals on and off the field.
Visa Everywhere Initiative: Women’s Global Edition
On the opening day of the tournament on June 7, Visa will host the finals event for its first global competition focused on celebrating women entrepreneurs who are making strides in Fintech and Social Impact around the world. Twelve finalists from six regions will pitch their solutions for a chance to win the grand prize of $100,000 per challenge.
Uplifting Women from the Field to the Boardroom
Visa’s support for women goes beyond the playing field. Ninety four percent of women in the C-suite have played a sport at some time in their lives.1 Given the correlation between success in sport and business, Visa is a catalyst for supporting and championing women in all facets of life. Visa’s investment in women’s soccer globally builds on Visa’s initiatives that support women entrepreneurs and small business owners.
“As a leading sponsor of women’s soccer and advocate for female empowerment, Visa is dedicated to accelerating the growing support of the game, on and off the field,” continued Lynne Biggar, chief marketing and communications officer, Visa. “From championing professional players and celebrating their stories, to tapping into the strength of the Visa brand and elevating the game’s visibility across the world, Visa’s commitment to women’s soccer is here to stay.”
By Dipo Olowookere
Mr Arne Slot has left his role as the Head Coach of Liverpool Football Club a year after guiding the Reds to their 20th English Premier League title.
The Dutch arrived at Merseyside in June 2024 and won the league for the northern England football outfit in the 2024/2025 season.
However, in the just-ended 2025/2026 season, he struggled to perform, leaving the club fifth on the table, with just 60 points in 38 games, winning only one in their last five matches, with two draws and two losses.
In a statement on Saturday, the club confirmed that Mr Slot, who was the LMA Manager of the Year in his debut season at the club, is leaving “his role as head coach with immediate effect.”
He was thanked for his time at the club during his two-year stay, as well as “the leadership” he displayed, but he had to go as “the process to appoint a successor is underway.”
“That this was a difficult decision for us to make as a club goes without saying. The contribution Arne has made to Liverpool FC in the time that he has been with us has been significant, meaningful and – most importantly of all to supporters and ourselves – successful.
“As such, our appreciation for everything he has achieved could not be greater, particularly as it was underpinned by a work ethic, diligence and a level of expertise which further underlined our view that he is a leader in his field.
“From the moment that we first encountered Arne, it was immediately clear that he is an individual who does not merely accept responsibility, but embraces it. This was evident when he agreed to take over as head coach, when he guided us to the Premier League title, and throughout the season just ended, when he faced considerable challenges and burdens.
“At the same time, we have collectively come to the conclusion that change is necessary in order for the club to keep moving forward. Again, it must be stressed that this is not a decision which has been reached lightly, anything but.
“We would like to take this opportunity to place on record our appreciation for Arne, who will always hold a special place in the history of this football club as the coach who delivered Liverpool’s 20th league title.
“That accomplishment – made all the more remarkable as it arrived in his very first season in charge – was built on outstanding coaching and leadership every single day.
“He also helped guide the club through one of the most difficult periods imaginable following the loss of Diogo. The compassion and humanity he showed throughout that time said a great deal about him as a person.
“As such, we can only wish Arne well in the next stage of his coaching career, with our expectation being that he will continue to be successful. We do so in the knowledge that his Liverpool legacy is intact and will become yet more meaningful in the years and decades to come.
“Nevertheless, the conclusion we have come to is built on a belief that the team’s trajectory is best addressed through a change of direction. That does not diminish the work Arne has done here, or the respect we have for him. Nor is it a reflection of his talents. Rather, it is indicative of the need for a different approach.
“Arne leaves with our gratitude, with a Premier League title to his name, and with the knowledge that he and his family will always be welcomed back at Anfield,” the statement said.
There are speculations that the immediate past manager of Bournemouth, Mr Andoni Iraola, is likely to be named as the new coach of Liverpool FC.
The UEFA Champions League final, FIFA World Cup warm-up matches and the latest action from Roland Garros are among the major sporting attractions lined up on SuperSport over the coming days.
The weekend’s headline event is Saturday’s Champions League final in Budapest, where newly crowned Premier League champions Arsenal take on defending champions Paris Saint-Germain in one of the most anticipated matches of the season.
From football to tennis, fans can look forward to a packed schedule as several competitions approach their defining moments.
European Football Takes Centre Stage
The spotlight this weekend falls on Budapest, where Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain meet in the UEFA Champions League final on Saturday.
The match pits two domestic champions against each other, with Arsenal seeking the first Champions League title in the club’s history after ending a 22-year wait for the Premier League crown. Victory would also complete a remarkable league and European double for Mikel Arteta’s side.
PSG, meanwhile, are aiming to retain the trophy they won last season under Luis Enrique and become the first club since Real Madrid’s famous three-peat between 2016 and 2018 to successfully defend the title.
The final also presents several intriguing storylines. Arteta and Enrique become the first managers from the same country to face each other in a Champions League final while leading foreign clubs, while Arsenal’s Declan Rice and PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia are among the stars expected to play key roles in the contest.
The UEFA Champions League final kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, with live studio build-up beginning at 3:30 p.m. As part of the ongoing Open View period, the match will air to DStv Yanga customers on SS Football Finals (DStv Ch. 202) and SS Football (DStv Ch. 205), while GOtv Jolli customers can catch the match live on SS Football (GOtv Ch. 61).
The Road to the FIFA World Cup
With the 2026 FIFA World Cup now just days away, several of the tournament’s contenders will fine-tune preparations through a series of international friendlies live on SuperSport.
The action begins on Sunday, 31 May, with Switzerland facing Jordan at 1:45 p.m., before Germany take on Finland at 7:30 p.m.
Monday brings a Scandinavian derby between Norway and Sweden at 5:45 p.m., while Austria face Tunisia at 7:30 p.m.
The fixtures continue throughout the week with Croatia against Belgium on Tuesday, the Netherlands versus Algeria on Wednesday, and Spain meeting Iraq on Thursday.
Next weekend’s highlights include Portugal against Chile, England facing New Zealand, and Croatia taking on Slovenia, as some of the world’s leading nations complete preparations for football’s biggest stage.
DStv will provide dedicated SuperSport FIFA World Cup channels, ensuring you can follow every match live or on demand. During the tournament, popular sports channels will transform into dedicated World Cup hubs:
SS Football Plus Africa → FIFA World Cup Central: Primary English match hub
SS EPL Africa → FIFA World Cup Extra: Secondary hub for concurrent matches
SS Football → FIFA World Cup Pass: 24/7 channel featuring documentaries and replays
Roland Garros Heats Up
Meanwhile, the clay-court battles at Roland Garros continue to gather momentum as the tournament moves towards its decisive stages.
With two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz sidelined through injury, world number one Jannik Sinner enters as the leading contender in the men’s draw, although Novak Djokovic remains a major threat.
In the women’s competition, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek are among the favourites seeking to dethrone reigning champion Coco Gauff in what promises to be another compelling week of Grand Slam tennis.
Follow All the Action
As part of the Canal+ family, SuperSport continues to deliver world-class football coverage throughout the season, from domestic cup finals and title races to major international tournaments like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Fans can watch live on DStv and GOtv or stream via DStv Stream and GOtv Stream. Manage subscriptions through the MyDStv and MyGOtv apps, visit DStv or GOtv Africa, or dial *288# to stay connected.
Nigeria’s football school has long been renowned for producing technically and creatively gifted players capable of turning any match into a spectacular show. Every boy kicking a ball around with friends in his neighborhood dreams of following the path of Victor Osimhen, Ademola Lookman, and Alex Iwobi. 1xCup2026 is here to help make those dreams come true. From July 23 to October 31, we are in for the country’s most popular grassroots football tournament, which will give young talents the chance to impress scouts from European and African clubs and sign their first professional contract.
Updated format, larger scale, and record number of participants
The fourth season of 1xCup Nigeria will become a true breakthrough for amateur football in the country. For the first time, teams from all five administrative divisions of Lagos will take part in the competition. Each district will have its own representative not only during the qualifiers but also in the group stage. 100 teams will receive invitations to participate in the qualification matches and will be divided into divisions according to the IBILE system: Ikorodu, Badagry, Ikeja, Lagos Division, and Epe. Only the top 24 amateur clubs will advance to the knockout stage.
1xCup 2026 is more than just a tournament. It fulfills the dreams of talented footballers and delivers unforgettable emotions to fans. This year, the intrigue is at its peak – qualification matches will not end in draws. Teams will always compete for victory, and players will get a unique opportunity to showcase their skills under maximum pressure.
Scouts from professional clubs will attend the matches
From the round of 32 to the final, 1xCup 2026 will become a center of football scouting. Over the previous three seasons, more than 30 players impressed scouts and signed their first professional contracts with clubs in Nigeria, Bulgaria, Albania, Norway, and other countries.
1xCup is a football talent incubator that turns the dreams of promising athletes into reality. The tournament gives players a chance to showcase the strength of Nigerian football and take their first step toward a professional career. Organizers have created optimal conditions for Nigerian football talents. The 1xCup 2026 matches will be held at the Inspire Sports Ground, Oshodi. With an excellent pitch and spacious stands, the arena provides the perfect atmosphere for exciting and spectacular clashes.
During the fourth season of 1xCup, players will compete not only for the attention of scouts and the pride of their districts, but also for a generous ₦20,000,000 prize pool. The tournament winner will claim ₦10,000,000, the runner-up ₦5,000,000, and the third-place team ₦3,000,000. Participants will also receive individual awards, including MVP, Top Goalscorer, Best Goalkeeper, Coach of the Tournament, and other prizes.
1xCup 2026 is the most anticipated football tournament in Nigeria. Every fan dreams of witnessing the rise of a new Cinderella story in football and supporting their local community team.
Applications for participation will be accepted from June 1 to June 19. Stay tuned for more announcements and follow one of Nigeria’s best football events on the 1xcup.ng website!
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