What would be the first thing that comes to mind when the phrase “World Cup” is mentioned? One might immediately think of the iconic Waka Waka song, legendary teams such as Brazil or France, or players like Messi or Ronaldo. The FIFA Men’s World Cup, hailed as the biggest sporting event in the world, has left a profound impact on countless communities. Beyond the popularity and prestige of men’s football, this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup (FIFA WWC), which was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, garnered attention all over the world in a way that will continue to empower female athletes everywhere.
Although it is only in its ninth iteration, the FIFA WWC holds its own in the same league as the world-renowned FIFA Men’s World Cup and the Champions League. With record-breaking feats at the first WWC after the pandemic, it is clear that women's football will never be the same again. Fans of the sport were eager to support the tournament, with a whopping 1.9 million people in attendance compared to the previous crowd record of 1.35 million in Canada in 2015. Additionally, first-time finalists Spain and England significantly surpassed TV viewership of previous World Cup finals. With eight new nations joining this iteration, including Morocco and the Philippines, this World Cup was definitely one for the books.
The newcomers made an impressive debut, with Morocco defeating football giant Germany and the Philippines solidifying a win against New Zealand, despite being 18 ranks lower. Players from each nation also made a name for themselves at the tournament. Nouhaila Benzina became the first-ever player to wear a hijab at a World Cup, while Sarina Bolden scored a beautiful header to earn the Philippines its first tournament win. These unprecedented accomplishments by newcomers show that there is no longer one-sided domination by veteran nations, and in this changing landscape of football, anything is possible.
The eight new World Cup nations demonstrated that everyone has a chance to make it to the grand stage and make waves in the sport, serving as an inspiration to the global community. Through this quadrennial event, the skills of female athletes were given more attention and gained greater appreciation worldwide. For example, the Filipinas gained recognition from their country and its people for their accomplishments in their maiden World Cup campaign.
Overall, the WWC will surely continue to expand and defy all expectations in the years to come. New records will be set, new countries will join in the competition, and the WWC will continue to capture the attention of the world, drawing in football fans from everywhere. Regardless of the results of the tournament, the athletes who participated this year should be proud to have been part of this historic event. Spain finished the World Cup strong as its champion, and the world eagerly waits to see if they repeat this feat in four years. The FIFA World Cup is an exciting event in history that will continue to see nations break old records and become powerhouses, bringing life to the game of football and giving rise to all athletes who want to make a difference.