—- European governing body UEFA has launched a five-year development plan for women’s football with perfect timing, just weeks away from the Women’s World Cup in France.

A strategy document, Time for Action , has set out how the European soccer body aims to double the number of women and girls playing the game, and to change perceptions.

UEFA’s head of women’s soccer, Nadine Kessler said: “Every girl shouldfeel like it’s the most normal thing in the world to play football, whether just for fun or because she wants to win the World Cup.”

She described a specific Visa’s sponsorship deal to 2025 as “important for respect and long-term security.”

UEFA is looking to permanently change perceptions of women’s soccer, believing it should be “strong, inclusive, fun and inspirational.”

The strategy, launched ahead of Saturday’s women’s Champions League final between Lyon and Barcelona, wants UEFA’s 55 member federations to have 2.5 million registered female players by 2024.

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