Last Updated on: 11th October 2024, 11:42 am
Women’s Football Facts
5 Facts About the 2023 Women’s World Cup
The biggest women’s football event of the year is here. The 2023 Women’s World Cup kicks off on the 20th of July 2023 and runs until the 20th of August. Its co-hosts Australia and New Zealand will welcome it to the Southern Hemisphere for the first time.
Now we’ve covered the basics, here are 5 other facts you should know about the Women’s World Cup:
1. Breaking Records
The 2023 Women’s World Cup is set to break records by being the most-attended women’s sporting event ever. In June, FIFA President Gianni Infantino announced on Instagram that over 1 million tickets had been sold, beating ticket numbers of the previous tournament in France in 2019.
The organisers even expect attendee numbers to surpass the 1.35 million spectators of the Canada tournament in 2015.
2. The Biggest Year Yet
A total of 736 players split into 32 teams will compete, compared to 24 in 2019 and 12 in the first tournament in 1991. Consequently, this makes it the biggest Women’s World Cup to date.
Haiti, Morocco and the Republic of Ireland are 3 of the 8 teams to be making their debut.
3. USA, the Team to Beat
After being the world champions for the last two tournaments, the USWT are the most backed team to win. Meanwhile, England’s Lionesses take second place, following their success in the European Championship in 2022.
Hope for the success of the host countries Australia and New Zealand is low with the USA being the only team ever to win as a host country in 1999.
4. Age-Defying Performances
Nigerian center-back Onome Ebi, aged 40 will be the oldest of 736 players in the tournament, competing against players from age 16. She is about to make history by becoming the first African footballer to compete in 6 FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Onome Ebi, alongside Christie Rampone and Formiga are the only players who have competed in the tournament in their 40s.
5. Mary Earps: Goalkeeper Extraordinaire
Manchester United’s Mary Earps, aged 30 holds the title of the world’s best women’s goalkeeper for 2022. After helping to win the 2022 Women’s Euros, she is England’s first choice of goalkeeper for this summer’s World Cup.
Could football be coming home again for England?
Get involved
It’s not just professional women’s football that’s at the height of popularity, grassroots-level football is at an all-time high too. At Pendle Sportswear, we’re trying to do our bit by introducing our first-ever Women’s kit this year.
With players in the 2023 Women’s World Cup aged 16-40, anyone can sign up to play football whether it’s to compete or just for fun. Find your local club on the FA website.
If you want to read more, check out our other women’s football facts or read about the success story of Ilkley Town AFC.
Get Your Women’s Football Kit
