U.S. Hosts 10 Countries at Soccer Championship

Department of Defense | Jul. 11, 2022

By David Vergun

The International Military Sports Council, or CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) is sponsoring the event, which runs through July 22 and is hosted by nearby Fairchild Air Force Base. Ten countries are participating in the championship games, the 13th such event.

Woman plays soccer.
Navy Airman Jada Sergeant, with the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Soccer Team, practices for the World Military Women’s Football Championship in Spokane, Wash., July 9, 2022. The event is sponsored by the International Military Sports Council, also known as CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire), and hosted by Fairchild Air Force Base.

The passion and energy in the U.S. team is incredible, Coast Guard Lt. j.g. Scotti Culton, defender No. 7, said.

"It's a one team, one fight mentality," she said, adding that the U.S. team has been practicing from early in the morning to late at night.

"We hype each other up every day even though our muscles are aching," she said.

Army 1st Lt. Nikiay Comer, forward No. 2, said everyone is focused on the team from Belgium in this afternoon's game.

A goalie deflects a soccer ball.
Army Capt. Kelly Fitzgerald, of the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Soccer Team, makes a save during practice for the World Military Women’s Football Championship in Spokane, Wash. July 10, 2022. The event is sponsored by the International Military Sports Council, also known as CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire) and hosted by at Fairchild Air Force Base.
Women play soccer.
Army Capt. Erica Jarmer, with the U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Soccer Team, kicks a ball during practice for the World Military Women’s Football Championship in Spokane, Wash., July 9, 2022. The event is sponsored by the International Military Sports Council’s, also known as CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire), and hosted by Fairchild Air Force Base.

"They're a strong team with good talent, but so are we," she said.

The schedule is:

The U.S. team is called the U.S. Armed Forces Women's Soccer Team.

Soldiers march.
The U.S. Armed Forces Women’s Soccer Team enters the opening ceremony for the World Military Women’s Football Championship at Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane, Wash. July 10, 2022. The event is sponsored by the International Military Sports Council, also known as CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire).

Each year, CISM sponsors world military championships in 26 sports on international and regional levels.

Other CISM sporting events are: aeronautical pentathlon, archery, basketball, beach volleyball, boxing, climbing, cycling, equestrian, fencing, football, golf, judo, military pentathlon, modern pentathlon, naval pentathlon, orienteering, parachuting, sailing, shooting, skiing, swimming and lifesaving, taekwondo, track and field, triathlon, volleyball, and wrestling.

CISM also hosts the Military World Summer and Winter Games every four years.

Soldier stands between two people dressed in costumes.
A Malian soldier stands between two characters in the “Despicable Me” movie franchise in Spokane, Wash., July 10, 2022.Mali is one of 10 countries participating in the World Military Women’s Football Championship at Fairchild Air Force Base. The event is sponsored by the International Military Sports Council, also known as CISM (Conseil International du Sport Militaire).

CISM's mission is to endorse friendship among armed forces personnel from all nations through sports activities, thus enabling the physical training, military readiness and education for them.

The organization aims to enhance mutual respect and solidarity and promote peace.

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