Sarai Bareman: FIFA’s First Chief Women’s Football Officer, Corruption & Sexism, Eugene Bareman’s Success

On this episode of Between Two Beers we talk to Sarai Bareman. 

Sarai is one of the most powerful, and influential women in world sport.  

She has been FIFA’s chief women’s football officer since 2016, when the role was first created. 

Her mandate included doubling the sport's global female player base from 30 million to 60 million and she's ultimately responsible for all levels of the game – from grassroots through to elite international competition – across 200 countries. Quite a big gig. 

In this episode we talk about her relationship with her brother, UFC superstar coach Eugene Bareman – and their humble beginnings, the chaos and stress caused by the Auckland shootings on the morning of the first World Cup game in NZ, how she worked her way up from a bank teller in West Auckland to the biggest job in women’s football, the misogyny, corruption and abuse she encountered along the way and all the best ‘pinch yourself’ moments from her epic rise. 

This one was pretty special – and after making it to the end – you'll be able to see why Sarai holds the position she does. 

She’s sharp, articulate, empathetic – and perhaps most importantly, authentic. There’s no Fifa talking points in this one, it’s Sarai Bareman as you’ve never heard her before. One of our all time fav eps. 

Listen on iHeart or wherever you get your podcasts from, or watch the video on Youtube. And follow us on Insta and TikTok to see the best video clips from each ep. 

This episode was brought to you from the Export Beer Garden Studio. Enjoy!