It’s Nearly Here
The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, the most prestigious competition in women’s football, is nearly here, and enthusiasm and expectations are at an all-time high. The tournament will occur in Australia and New Zealand, with the opening game slated for Thursday, July 20th. The 2023 edition is set to celebrate women’s football, displaying the incredible talent and competitive spirit of teams from around the world. This blog preview will examine the upcoming tournament’s critical aspects, including the hosts, favourites, emerging stars, and the potential for history-making moments.
The Host Countries
Australia and New Zealand have joined forces to host the Women’s World Cup in 2023. The joint bid successfully secured the tournament, highlighting the commitment of both nations to promote women’s football and provide a memorable experience for players and fans alike. With world-class stadiums, passionate fans, and a rich footballing culture, the stage is set for a remarkable showcase of the women’s game.
Favourites and Contenders
The upcoming tournament promises to be the most competitive edition in the past decade, with many teams capable of securing the trophy in the Final on August 20th. Reigning champions the United States are the clear favourites as they look to secure an unprecedented fifth World Cup trophy. Current European champions England who are coached by Dutch woman Sarina Wiegman are expected to perform well at the tournament. Traditional powerhouses of the women’s international game, including Germany, France and Spain, are all expected to reach the latter stages and push the Americans and English really close.
Additionally, countries such as Brazil, Netherlands and Japan are strong contenders, Having consistently reached the quarter-finals, at least in the past few tournaments. The Republic of Ireland will play in its first-ever women’s World Cup and hopefully follow in their male counterparts’ footsteps by causing huge upsets on the world stage. The depth of talent in the female game is ever-increasing. At the same time, the increasing overall competitiveness shown by the so-called smaller nations means that an enthralling month awaits in Australia and New Zealand. There will be no doubt huge surprises and upsets along the way.
Stars New and Old
The Womens World Cup has a storied history of unveiling new female talents and inspiring players who can capture the hearts of fans across the globe. The 2019 edition catapulted Megan Rapinoe into a worldwide phenomenon and icon, both on and off the pitch. As the countdown beings at the start of the tournament, all eyes will be on the emergence of new stars who can inspire the next generation of boys and girls.
The future and current stars of women’s football will grace the pitches of New Zealand and Australia for the month. New role models will blossom as the best players globally battle it out. Ireland and Arsenal, superstar Katie McCabe will get her first chance to showcase her skills on the world stage over the next month. Some of the most promising global talents, such as England’s Lauren James, Brazil’s Giovanna Querioz and the Netherlands’ Lynn Wilms, are expected to excel and capture the media spotlight.
Historical Milestones
The FIFA Womens World Cup has played an instrumental role in breaking down barriers and pushing for more media recognition of the women’s game. With each passing tournament, remarkable on and off-field progress and new milestones have been made. The 2023 competition is no exception, as 32 teams will battle it out for the trophy, up from the previous number of 24 participating nations. The increased number of places available has enabled new countries, such as the Republic of Ireland, to experience the spectacle of a World Cup. FIFA is committed to further growing and promoting the female game globally by increasing the number of teams. Furthermore, the event organisers aim to showcase new benchmarks in sustainability and inclusivity while emphasising the importance of leaving a positive legacy beyond the confines of the football pitch.
A Great Month Awaits
The Women’s World Cup promises to be a celebration of women’s football, uniting nations and fans around the world. As co-hosts Australia and New Zealand prepare to welcome fans from every participating nation, anticipation is growing for an extraordinary tournament filled with passion, skill and unforgettable historical moments. From the favourites to the underdogs, emerging stars to veteran heroes, the Women’s World Cup is poised to captivate audiences and leave a lasting legacy. The following month will be historic for the growth of Women’s football in Ireland. At Astro Park, we are committed to increasing participation in women’s football across Dublin and the country. Please contact us if you would like to discuss our women’s football options.
