Lithuania, Malta first stops on road to Canada

The FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Qualifiers are underway in Europe with the earliest preliminary matches played in Vilnius, Lithuania and Ta'Qali, Malta this Thursday 4 April 2013. Eight teams divided into two groups will play three matches each over the next six days, with the top two teams from each group advancing to Europe's 42-team qualifying group stage that begins in September 2013.

The eight teams competing in Europe's preliminary phase are Albania, Latvia, Luxembourg and Malta in one group (based in Malta) and Faroe Islands, Georgia, Lithuania and Montenegro in the other group (based in Lithuania). Following this preliminary phase, the European draw for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 will take place on Tuesday 16 April 2013.

To read the full story and follow full coverage of the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 Qualifiers, please visit FIFA.com/Canada2015.

Also over the next six days, a number of national teams will compete during the reserved dates for women's international football on FIFA's coordinated match calendar. Of note, Canada will play France on 4 April and England on 7 April while former FIFA Women's World Cup champions Germany and USA will face each other on 5 April.

Canada 2015 directors announced for National Organising Committee

The National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 has confirmed five directors that will work from the national office in Ottawa, ON. The five staff members are Brooke Arthur (Director, Ticketing), Hillary Campbell (Director, Stadium Operations), Jessie Daly (Director, Competitions Services), Sandra Iacobelli (Director, Marketing), and Richard Scott (Director, Communications).

Previously announced, the National Organising Committee's senior management staff features Peter Montopoli (Chief Executive Officer), Sandra Gage (Chief Marketing and Communications Officer), Joe Guest (Chief Competitions Officer), Don Hardman (Chief Stadia Officer) and Sean Heffernan (Chief Financial Officer).

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 will be preceded one year earlier by the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, one of two FIFA women’s youth tournaments. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup returns to Canada for the first time since 2002. The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 will feature 16 teams featuring players born 1994 or later.

The National Organising Committee for the FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015 features Victor Montagliani (chair), Steven Reed, Janine Helland, Doug Redmond, Clare Rustad, Walter Sieber and Peter Montopoli.

FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015

The FIFA Women's World Cup is held every four years, with the next edition to be played in Canada in 2015. It marks the first major sporting event hosted in Canada from coast to coast, with matches to be played in Vancouver, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa, Montréal and Moncton. The FIFA Women's World Cup will feature the 24 best women's football teams in the world.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Canada 2015 will be preceded one year earlier by the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, one of two FIFA women’s youth tournaments. The FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup returns to Canada for the first time since 2002. The FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup Canada 2014 will feature 16 teams featuring players born 1994 or later.

[Hangat-News]