The female footballers who should be Women's World Cup Ambassador, as FIFA elect Adriana Lima for the role

FIFA president Gianni Infantino has appointed former Victoria’s Secret model Adriana Lima as the new Women's World Cup Ambassador. But the news hasn’t gone down well with some people from the sports industry questioning why a supermodel has been appointed over a female footballer. 

Former vice-captain of the Australian women’s team Moya Dodd described the decision as ‘tone deaf’. According to the Guardian, Moya said: “What will this ambassador represent to the large and growing population of aspirational women football players and fans who love the game because it shows us what empowerment and equality can look like? #tonedeaf.” 

Women's football is at an all time high with the Euros 2022 final being one of the highest watched football matches ever. A record breaking 365 million people worldwide watched England beat Germany 2-1; with the majority of that audience being impressionable young girls hoping to be a footballer one day. 

PeopleWorld takes a look at just a few of the female footballers that FIFA should’ve appointed instead of Adriana Lima. And let's face it right now with the amount of talent out there the FIFA president would be spoilt for choice.

Jill Scott

English footballer Jill has just been appointed as the first female to coach a men's football team at Man City Youths and in a 2011 technical report FIFA described her as one of the UKs most outstanding players. 

Alexia Putellas

The Spanish player has won The Best FIFA Women’s Player Award as well as the UEFA Women’s Player of the Year award. It seems quite shocking that she wasn’t at the top of FIFA’s list after winning the Best Female Player in the football world award not once but twice consecutively in 2021 and 2022.

Christine Margaret Sinclair

Canadian footballer Christine holds the record for the most goals in an  international women's football game with 190 goals scored. She has also won The Best FIFA Special Award in 2021. It would seem another great choice for a Women's World Cup Ambassador.  

Mary Earps

England's goalkeeper gave an emotional and inspiring speech when she was awarded the FIFA Best Women's Footballer. Standing at the podium Mary said: “This is for anyone who has ever been in a dark place, just know that there's light at the end of the tunnel. Keep going, you can achieve anything you set your mind to."

Sarina Wiegman

If FIFA didn’t want to select a football player, then Dutch manager Sarina would’ve been another perfect choice. After leading England to victory in the Euro’s, football manager and ex-football player Sarina was also honoured with the FIFA Best Coach Award for the third time.