Vatican City Women's National Football Team: A Brief History
While the Vatican is primarily known as the spiritual center of the Catholic Church, it has recently made headlines in the sporting world. The emergence of the Vatican City women's national football team represents a unique intersection of faith, employment, and athletics, bringing together women from diverse backgrounds to compete on the pitch.
The Origins of the Team
The seeds of the team were sown in June 2018 during Vatican Family Day. Inspired by the long-standing tradition of male employees playing football, a group of women organized their own matches. This grassroots enthusiasm quickly grew, leading the women to compete in a tournament hosted by the Bambino Gesù Hospital.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Early Matches and Competitive Debut
The official national representative team was established in 2019, marking a formal step into competitive football. Their inaugural match took place on May 26, 2019, at the Campo Pio XI. The Vatican side faced a formidable opponent in A.S. Roma, a club competing in Serie A, which is the highest tier of women's football in Italy. The match ended in a 0–10 defeat for the Vatican team.
The team played its first "away" match on June 7, 2019, traveling across Rome to face A.S.D. Trastevere Calcio, a club in Serie D. Although they lost 1–3, the match was a milestone as the Vatican team scored its first-ever goal via a converted penalty kick.
The Controversial Vienna Trip
In June 2019, after months of planning, the team traveled to Vienna, Austria, to play FC Mariahilf, a team in the Wiener Landesliga (the women's third division). The match was intended to celebrate the club's twentieth anniversary at a stadium in Simmering.
However, the event ended in controversy. During the playing of the Vatican City national anthem, several FC Mariahilf players revealed pro-choice messages written on their skin beneath their jerseys. Consequently, the match was cancelled.
Squad Composition and Players
The team is drawn from a pool of approximately 800 female employees within Vatican City. The squad is composed of female employees as well as the wives and daughters of Vatican staff. In 2019, the roster consisted of 20 to 25 women ranging in age from 25 to 50.
While the squad is made up of lay workers—and although nuns are welcome to join—no nuns have served on the squad. Most players are amateurs, though the team has benefited from experienced leadership, such as captain Eugenie Tcheugoue from Cameroon, who has played football at higher competitive levels.
Key Facts
- Founded: The national representative team was formed in 2019.
- First Match: May 26, 2019, against A.S. Roma (Result: 0–10).
- First Goal: Scored during a match against A.S.D. Trastevere Calcio on June 7, 2019.
- Squad Demographics: Women aged 25–50, including employees and family members of employees.
- Captain: Eugenie Tcheugoue.
| Date | Opponent | Location | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 26, 2019 | A.S. Roma | Campo Pio XI (Home) | 0–10 (Loss) |
| June 7, 2019 | A.S.D. Trastevere Calcio | Rome (Away) | 1–3 (Loss) |
| June 22, 2019 | FC Mariahilf | Vienna, Austria | Cancelled |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to play for the Vatican women's football team?
The squad consists of female employees of Vatican City, as well as the wives and daughters of those employees.
Are there any nuns on the team?
No, the squad consists only of lay workers, although nuns are welcome to play.
Who is the captain of the team?
The team is captained by Eugenie Tcheugoue, a Cameroonian player who has experience playing at higher levels of the sport.
Why was the match against FC Mariahilf cancelled?
The match was cancelled after FC Mariahilf players displayed pro-choice messages on their skin under their jerseys during the Vatican City national anthem.
When did the team score its first goal?
The team scored its first-ever goal on June 7, 2019, during a match against A.S.D. Trastevere Calcio via a penalty kick.