France’s national railway company, SNCF, has agreed a deal to sponsor next year’s Fifa Women’s World Cup, which will take place in its home country.
SNCF will serve as a national supporter of the tournament and will take on the same role for this year’s U20 Women’s World Cup in France. SNCF will provide travel services between host cities during the two tournaments.
The U20 Women’s World Cup is scheduled to take place from August 5-24, with matches to be held in Concarneau, Dinan-Lehon, Saint-Malo and Vannes. The 2019 Women’s World Cup will run from June 7 to July 7 across nine host cities: Paris, Reims, Valenciennes, Le Havre, Rennes, Grenoble, Montpellier, Nice and Lyon.
French Football Federation president Noel Le Graët said: “Given that (SNCF) exists primarily to connect cities to each other, it is the perfect collaborator for a competition such as the Fifa Women’s World Cup, which aims to bring French people and football fans from around the world together in celebration of the same passion. This deal will be crucial to the success of these two Fifa World Cups in France, as the SNCF will play a key role in the organisation of the events and their successful staging.”
SNCF becomes the second national supporter of next year’s World Cup, joining chemicals and advanced materials manufacturer Arkema.
Mathias Vicherat, deputy general director of the SNCF Group, added: “SNCF aims to become the biggest supporter of women in achieving success on the pitch and in business.
“The state-owned railway group currently employs six elite sportswomen through its SNCF Athletes Programme. Aside from the everyday duties they perform at the SNCF, these athletes are a source of inspiration for all of the company’s female employees.
“In dedicating its energies to linking cities and regions together, the SNCF has already acquired extensive experience as the official transport provider of major sporting events. The SNCF Group, which includes Geodis and Keolis, will make all of its know-how available to Fifa, the LOC, and the teams.”