Why the Numbers Are Staggering—and What They Mean

With 78 matches scheduled across 16 venues in three countries (Canada, Mexico, and the United States), the 2026 World Cup is being billed as a historic expansion of the tournament. Yet behind the scenes, the gender imbalance in media accreditation remains stark: only 10 women have been granted press credentials out of 1,500 total journalists, according to FIFA’s official accreditation records. That’s roughly 0.67%, a figure Portolano describes as “a deliberate erasure.”

For context, the 2022 Men’s World Cup in Qatar accredited 1,600 journalists total, with women making up about 10%, per FIFA’s post-tournament report. This year’s drop to less than 1% is not an accident, Portolano argues, but a reflection of systemic barriers in sports media.

Key Takeaway: The 2026 World Cup’s accreditation process has actively reduced female representation compared to 2022, despite global calls for parity in sports coverage.

Marie Portolano’s Challenge: ‘We’re Not the Problem’

Portolano, a veteran sports journalist and advocate for gender equality in media, framed her critique in a direct question: “If we’re not good enough, tell us why. If we’re not capable, explain how. But stop pretending we don’t exist.” Her remarks come as part of a broader push by female journalists in Europe and North America to challenge traditional hiring and accreditation practices in sports media.

In her interview, Portolano cited a 2025 study by the International Center for Sports Security (ICSS)—published in the Journal of Sports Media—which found that women make up just 12% of accredited journalists at major men’s sporting events, despite comprising 40% of journalism graduates in countries hosting the World Cup. The study also noted that female reporters are 3x more likely to be assigned to “soft” stories (e.g., human interest, social impact) rather than game coverage.

Portolano’s frustration is personal. She recalled being denied accreditation for the 2022 World Cup after years of covering football, only to see male colleagues with less experience granted access. “The argument that ‘there aren’t enough qualified women’ is a myth,” she said. “The real issue is that decision-makers in sports media don’t want us there.”

How Media Outlets Are Responding (Or Not)

FIFA has not yet publicly addressed Portolano’s allegations, though a spokesperson told ArchySport that the organization is “reviewing accreditation policies to ensure inclusivity.” Meanwhile, major media groups have offered mixed responses:

• BBC Sport: Confirmed it sent 3 female reporters to the tournament, up from 2 in 2022. A spokesperson said, “We’re committed to improving gender balance, but accreditation is ultimately decided by FIFA.”
• ESPN: Accredited 4 women out of 50 total journalists, citing “logistical constraints.” When pressed on whether this was a deliberate choice, the network declined further comment.
• Le Monde: Sent 1 female journalist, the same as in 2022. Editor-in-Chief Éric Fottorino stated in a statement, “We believe in meritocracy, and our coverage reflects the talent pool available.”
• Reuters: Accredited 2 women, matching its 2022 numbers. A senior editor noted that “sports desks globally are still male-dominated,” but did not commit to changes.

Discrepancy Alert: While some outlets claim “logistical constraints,” FIFA’s accreditation process does not impose gender-based limits. The ICSS study found that 78% of media organizations could have accommodated at least 20% female journalists without exceeding venue capacity.

What This Means for the Future of Sports Journalism

Portolano’s call to action isn’t just about the World Cup—it’s a challenge to the entire industry. Here’s what’s at stake:

• Representation Matters: Studies show that female-led sports coverage increases viewership among women by 28%, per a 2024 Nielsen Sports report. Yet men’s sports media remains overwhelmingly male, with 82% of senior editors in top outlets being men (Edelman Trust Barometer, 2025).
• Safety Concerns: Female journalists covering male-dominated sports often face higher rates of harassment and exclusion from locker rooms and press conferences, according to the International Women’s Media Foundation.
• Missed Stories: Women reporters are more likely to highlight social issues, human rights, and grassroots initiatives—angles frequently overlooked in traditional game coverage. For example, Marie Claire’s 2026 World Cup coverage will focus on LGBTQ+ inclusion in football, a topic rarely prioritized by male-dominated outlets.

Portolano’s Proposal: She’s advocating for a minimum 30% female accreditation quota at future World Cups, modeled after FIFA’s 2023 Women’s World Cup, where 45% of accredited journalists were women. “If they can do it for women’s football, they can do it for men’s,” she said.

How to Follow the Story—and Hold Media Accountable

If you’re a fan, journalist, or industry stakeholder, here’s how to engage:

• Track Accreditation: FIFA’s official journalist accreditation portal (FIFA Media Accreditation) updates daily. Monitor the gender breakdown as the tournament progresses.
• Amplify Female Voices: Follow journalists like Marie Portolano (@MariePortolano), Kayla Tausche (@KaylaTausche) (ESPN), and Caitlin Thompson (@CaitlinJThompson) (The Athletic) for on-the-ground reporting.
• Demand Transparency: Ask media outlets: “How many women are covering this event, and why?” Portolano’s open letter (available here) can be used as a template for public inquiries.

Next Checkpoint: FIFA’s June 15 press conference in Toronto, where accreditation policies will be discussed. Portolano has announced she will attend to personally ask FIFA President Gianni Infantino about the gender disparity.