FIFA officially unveiled its Technical Study Group for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France on Tuesday, confirming the inclusion of Clémentine Touré among a panel of highly respected figures from the global women’s game. The announcement highlights FIFA’s commitment to drawing on diverse international expertise to closely examine the tournament and contribute to the long-term development of women’s football worldwide.
Clémentine Touré, the Ivorian coach of the Ivory Coast women’s national team, will serve alongside a distinguished group of former players and coaches. The panel also includes American football icon April Heinrichs, former Chinese star Sun Wen, German World Cup winner Nadine Kessler, and experienced French coach Elisabeth Loisel. Together, they form a multidisciplinary team representing different continents, football cultures, and generations of the women’s game. Their combined experience is expected to bring depth and balance to the technical evaluation of the tournament.
The Technical Study Group operates under the authority of FIFA’s Coach and Player Development Department, led by Branimir Ujević. Its primary responsibility during the Women’s World Cup is to closely analyze all 52 matches of the competition. This involves producing detailed observations of what unfolds on the pitch, from tactical approaches and team structures to individual performances, physical demands, and emerging playing styles. By carefully documenting and interpreting these elements, the group seeks to identify key trends that could shape the future of women’s football at both elite and grassroots levels.
Throughout the tournament, the members of the study group will work together to collect data, exchange viewpoints, and debate technical aspects of the matches. Their work does not end with simple match reports. Instead, it culminates in a comprehensive technical report that FIFA distributes to all its member associations after the competition. This document serves as an important educational resource, offering insights that national federations can use to improve coaching programs, player development pathways, and overall football strategies. The findings often influence how future tournaments are prepared for and how the women’s game evolves globally.
The inclusion of Clémentine Touré is particularly significant for African football. She brings to the group a wealth of experience built over many years on the continent and on the international stage. Touré first rose to prominence when she led Equatorial Guinea to victory at the 2008 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a historic achievement that established her reputation as one of Africa’s most accomplished coaches. Her success continued when she took charge of the Ivory Coast women’s national team and guided them to a remarkable third-place finish at the 2014 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, a milestone in the nation’s football history.
Perhaps her most notable accomplishment came in 2015, when she led the Ivorians to qualification for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. That achievement marked Ivory Coast’s debut at the global showpiece and reflected Touré’s ability to build competitive teams capable of performing on the world stage. Her journey, which spans continental triumphs and historic qualifications, gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and progress of women’s football, particularly in developing football nations.
By appointing Touré alongside globally recognized figures such as Heinrichs, Sun Wen, Kessler, and Loisel, FIFA has assembled a Technical Study Group that blends elite playing experience with proven coaching leadership. Their collective mission during France 2019 goes beyond evaluating results. It aims to deepen understanding of the women’s game, highlight innovations, and contribute knowledge that will help federations, coaches, and players continue to raise standards worldwide.
