On the day that the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team opens the inaugural SheBelieves Cup in her congressional district in Tampa, Fla., U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL14) called on FIFA to fully and effectively implement the new gender equity reforms adopted by FIFA last week.

“While the election of the new FIFA president garnered most of the headlines last week, the more meaningful action by FIFA was adoption of Title IX-like gender equity reforms for international soccer,” U.S. Rep. Castor said today. “While the U.S. Soccer Women’s National Team represents us with pride on the world stage, I urge the newly elected FIFA President Gianni Infantino to provide equal opportunities for women and girls across the globe in the world’s most popular sport.”

In her letter to FIFA President Infantino, U.S. Rep. Castor states: “Since the passage of Title IX, female participation in collegiate sports has flourished.  Before Title IX in 1972, less than 30,000 female athletes participated in collegiate athletics and now over five times as many women participate.  Title IX did not just elevate women in collegiate sports, but elevated collegiate sports overall. …FIFA is well-positioned to lead the way and champion Title IX-like reforms at the international level … and empower [girls] to reach for new heights throughout their lives no matter where they live.”

U.S. Rep. Castor is the Co-Chair of the U.S. Congressional Soccer Caucus and a strong advocate for gender equity in sports and education.  She joined President Obama earlier this year at the White House to celebrate the U.S. Women’s National Team’s World Cup championship.  Last year, U.S. Rep. Castor urged the U.S. Soccer Federation to play a leadership role in encouraging gender equity reforms in FIFA.

See letter.