Time for the Rockettes to shine with the growth of women’s football!

The sharper-witted will have observed a new name in the more recent FIFA/Coca-Cola Women’s World Rankings.

Gibraltar, a UEFA member since 2013, and FIFA since 2016, has had a few men’s teams successes to celebrate in its short time in the international football scene. Notably, a triumphant 2020 Nations League campaign saw Gibraltar win its Group D league, undefeated. Predictable heavy losses against the European behemoths, including a 14-0 drubbing at the hands of France, have not overshadowed many valiant displays against much stronger and established countries.

Gibraltar’s women’s game, however, has been slower off the mark.

A small pool of players and only 5 teams in its league competition have hindered the development of women’s football on the Rock. Controversially, the Gibraltar FA withdrew funding for the national team’s participation in the 2023 Nations League competition, amidst claims that the team was simply “not ready”. This drew a flack of criticism, as many wondered whether the men’s team had been any more prepared to embark on its own journey, back in 2013.

The tide seems to have been turned, as greater investment in the women’s game and active support from FIFA and UEFA have increased player numbers all round, with exciting talent being developed in the younger age groups.

These players now have role models to look up to. In February 2025, the “Rockettes” played their first international competition match in Moldova and followed that up a few days later with a historic home Nations League debut against the Faroe Islands.

Two narrow 1-0 losses have not dampened enthusiasm, and another sell-out crowd supported their team in their tough clash against Slovakia on 4 April 2025. The team’s first World Cup qualifying campaign awaits next year.

The growth of the women’s game has not been easy.

Further controversy has involved claims by a former player of “unfair treatment”, “double standards” and “manipulation” against coach Scott Wiseman, who is currently also the men’s interim national team manager. The national team captain and 30 other players responded on social media in an open letter in defence of their coach. Events off the pitch, however, do not seem to have marred the buzz surrounding the team and its performances on the pitch.

It has taken some time, but the “Rockettes” have finally arrived and, if their first foray into the international scene is anything to go by, it is surely only a matter of time before Gibraltar celebrates their hard-fought successes!

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