I set up this petition to help make an important step towards gender equality in football, by starting with the language that's used. The men's world cup is currently named 'FIFA World Cup', whereas the women's is named 'FIFA Women's World Cup'. By using these titles, the men's is seen by default as 'the' World Cup, and gives less importance to the women's tournament.

Words carry so much meaning. Making this simple change to 'FIFA Men's World Cup' is an essential step towards gender equality in the sport, and would set a precedent for other sports to follow.

See more below:

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"The globalisation of football means it can now be found in most parts of the world. It is celebrated as the national sport in many countries. But, we forget that “football” actually means “men’s football”. It’s the same with other popular sports – our habit is to refer to basketball and women’s basketball, cricket and women’s cricket, ice hockey and women’s ice hockey. This naming places men’s football as the dominant universal and natural norm, while women’s football becomes the “other” version.

If we want a level football playing field, then “football” should be redefined by changing our reference to tournaments, championships and leagues to “men’s football” if that is what is being played. It’s time we started referring to the men’s football World Cup, just as we refer to the women’s football World Cup."

Read full article here:

https://theconversation.com/why-this-football-tournament-should-be-called-the-mens-world-cup-98348

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