FIFA Women's World Cup: Getting ready to host the semifinals and final!
For several months, the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of the FIFA Women's World Cup has been preparing the city of Lyon for the competition. Working out of sight, the teams are expanding each week to ensure that all goes smoothly during the three games to be held at Groupama Stadium.
Some fifteen people work daily in the heart of the stadium to solve all the problems related to organizing an international event. Security, logistics, media credentials, transport ... Tania MICHAUD, as Site Manager, organizes and coordinates all the operations that take place at the stadium and its immediate surroundings.
It's a World Cup, with the same FIFA standards that apply for men, an event broadcast worldwide, and we have a great work tool: one of the most beautiful stadiums. It's rare that a city other than the capital of a country is chosen to host a final. It's fair, a nod to all the work done by the Club and President Jean-Michel Aulas, who have long supported women's football. It makes us all proud to work here.
Leaders of the nine competition sites gathered at a seminar organized in Paris.
The LOC can also count on many volunteers. For over a year, Gilles NOAH, Volunteer Program Manager in Lyon, has been in charge of recruitment and training. Four hundred people will be mobilized in Lyon, the largest contingent among the nine host cities (2,500 people throughout the country).
We have a huge need for volunteers for the whole organization of an event like this, they are indispensable! All profiles are represented: 18-year-olds and 80-year-olds, executives, retirees, students... Everyone can volunteer, whether you have experience or not. The richness of the volunteer program is its diversity!
The majority of the volunteers will be needed the day before matches and on match days to reinforce all sectors of activity - mainly welcoming the spectators.
The main reason for recruitment is motivation. Some come to meet people, including strangers from around the world, others just want to give their time because they are retired. The motivations are different, but what is certain is that they are the best ambassadors for the Women's World Cup, the Stadium, the Club and the Host City.
Volunteer gathering day in Lyon.
To see just how stadium operations work during a high-level match, all volunteers were invited to attend two OL Women's team matches at Groupama Stadium: against Paris-Saint Germain (Saturday, April 13) and Chelsea (Sunday, April 21). The volunteers will attend two prestigious games featuring numerous international stars, followed a few months later by the best national teams in the world. Gilles explains:
They'll be able to see the stadium and share the beginning of their volunteering adventure with their children, their spouses, their friends... They are delighted! After the day of gathering volunteers a few weeks ago, the arrival at the stadium premises, and now these two games, we're ready. We can't wait!
About the Local Organizing Committee
FIFA entrusted the organization of the Women's World Cup to the FFF, via the Local Organizing Committee, which is responsible for tournament planning, staff recruitment, stadium events and ticket marketing.
The LOC aims to welcome the best in women's world football by offering fantastic experiences, a festive spirit, history and a rich and exciting heritage.
First semifinal: Tuesday, July 2 at 21h00 CET
Second semifinal: Wednesday, July 3 at 21h00 CET
Final: Sunday, July 7 at 17h00 CET
Ettie, the mascot of the FIFA Women's World Cup, with the trophy.
The Club is pleased to welcome the LOC in the stadium for the organization of the FIFA Women's World Cup and hopes that this event will be a huge celebration!
