A group including former Socceroo Craig Foster and Sydney Swans champion Adam Goodes has complained to football governing body FIFA about ignoring First Nations organisations.
The letter, from Indigenous Football Australia, calls on FIFA to fix the "egregious omission" of the Indigenous football community from the Women's World Cup Legacy '23 plan.
It has also been signed by co-CEOs of Professional Footballers Australia Kate Gill and Beau Busch, A-League Women's players Gema Simon and Allira Toby, former Socceroo Travis Dodd and John Moriarty, who founded an Indigenous football initiative.
Launched by Football Australia in February 2021, the Legacy '23 plan is an ambitious strategy to leverage the world cup, which is being hosted by Australia and New Zealand, to deliver economic, social and health benefits as well as social and multicultural inclusion.
And while the pre-tournament report released earlier this month features a statement acknowledging First Nations contributors to the success of women's soccer in Australia, it doesn't include specific funding for Indigenous programs.
"Despite ubiquitous Indigenous culture, symbolism, traditional ceremonies and installations at the World Cup and the holding out of Indigenous culture as something of central value to football, not a single dollar from the legacy program has been committed to organisations that are Indigenous-led," the letter says.
"Without support for the Indigenous community and their programs, we consider this symbolism empty."
The missive has also been sent to Football Australia.
Before the Women's World Cup began, FIFA secretary general Fatma Samoura told ABC journalist Tracey Holmes, who is also a signatory to the letter, it should be used as a platform to give opportunities to all people.
She said officials needed to highlight issues for First Nations people in Australia and New Zealand.
"Because you cannot play the simple game of football by leaving outside the people without whom this nation would not have existed," Ms Samoura said.
"We cannot come and just play and leave."
John Moriarty Football is named for the first Aboriginal player selected for Australia and is the nation's longest running Indigenous football initiative for children.
The Indigenous Football Australia Council, formed to assist John Moriarty Football, is calling on FIFA and Football Australia to include funding for First Nations-led programs in the Legacy '23 plan before the end of the world cup.
The John Moriarty Foundation has also launched a crowd-funding campaign to address the lack of elite level Indigenous players and raise funds to tackle the disparity they face.
Mr Moriarty, a Yanyuwa man, said football has the power to be a game-changer for Indigenous children.
"Now is the time to level the playing field by reaching even more children, more communities and empowering the next generation of Indigenous football players," he said.
"There needs to be increased investment in solutions that will lead to impactful social change and ensure equal access to football for both grassroots and elite Indigenous players."
Funds raised will go to giving more young Indigenous footballers access to boots and gear, assisting them travel to and compete and creating scholarships.
Rudi Maxwell - AAP
