Queen Rania Visits Young Jordanian Footballers Training for FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup

(Office of Her Majesty – Press Department – Amman)  Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah met with female football players in the Under 17 Women’s National Football Team, while training at the Amman Stadium on Tuesday. The young players are getting ready to participate in the upcoming FIFA U17 Women's World Cup championship, set to take place in Amman in September and October 2016.

The upcoming tournament, which is the largest sporting event Jordan hosts to date, will also be the first women's World Cup to be held in the Middle East region.

Her Majesty talked to the players about their aspirations and the challenges they face as Jordanian sportswomen, and reiterated her pride in them and her continued support for the national team.

The players thanked Her Majesty for her role in promoting equality and sports in the Kingdom. Team Captain Luna Sahloul expressed the team’s deep appreciation for Queen Rania’s efforts in advancing the standing of women and girls in Jordan, adding that the team considers this championship an opportunity to individually contribute to the success and achievements of Jordanian women.

Queen Rania also met with the Jordan Football Association (JFA)'s Director of the Technical Department Stuart Gelling, and Head Coach Robbie Johnson, who briefed her about the association’s preparations ahead of the international event.

JFA General Secretary Sizar Soubar, JFA Vice President Salah Sabra, Team Manager Soleen Al Zoubi, and the Local Organizing Committee CEO Samar Nassar also attended the briefing.

From September 30 to October 21, 2016, sixteen national teams will compete for the World Cup in a total of 32 matches held in six stadiums in Amman, Irbdi, and Zarqa.

The tournament is expected to help develop and advance Jordanian football expertise, raise awareness about the participation of women in football, and promote national and regional support for all women’s sports.