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A seven-figure sum will be committed to the women’s game, ring-fencing funding to create a UK-wide programme of girls-only football activity.

The four-year deal means the final, which takes place at Wembley Stadium for the first time on August 1, will be called The SSE Women’s FA Cup Final.

The partnership between the FA and SSE will help support the continued work of The Football Association to transform the grassroots provision of women’s football.

FA Board Member and Chair of the Inclusion Advisory Board, Heather Rabbatts CBE, said: “The FA is committed to ensuring that women’s football gets the status and investment it deserves.

“The buzz of anticipation around the FIFA Women’s World Cup is testimony to the appeal of the game.

“Similarly at grassroots, we as an organisation are committed to ensuring that there are access points for girls and women to enjoy the game across all levels.

“Dreaming of playing at Wembley in the SSE Women’s FA Cup Final can now be a reality for girls too.”

Fittingly, on the eve of England’s World Cup campaign in Canada, over 100 girls aged seven to 11 from schools across the country descended on Wembley on Monday to meet former England international Rachel Brown-Finnis.