Women's World Cup Dominates as Most-Watched Show.
The Women’s World Cup was the most-watched show on television as it broke records for the highest-ever English language viewership of a group stage match in women’s FIFA World Cup history.
By Rachel “Sink” Lindsay
Smashing Records.
The U.S. women’s national team game against the Netherlands was watched by 6.4 million people, breaking records as the highest-ever English language viewership of a group stage match in women’s FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) World Cup history.
Source: Forbes
Most Attended.
The Women’s World Cup is also set to become the most attended women’s sporting event in history. Ticket sales for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand overtook previous editions of the tournament, with 1,032,884 tickets sold.
Source: CNN
Fascinating History.
In 1970, long before FIFA got involved in the women’s game, FIEFF—Federazione Internazionale Europea Football Femminile—staged their own unofficial Women’s World Cup in Italy. The tournament drew significant crowds.
Source: Google Arts & Culture
Going International.
From there, tournaments were held in Mexico, attracting tens of thousands of spectators. A host of successful ‘Mundialitos’, or ‘Little World Cups’, were staged throughout the 1980s before FIFA made the women’s world championship official.
Source: Google Arts & Culture
Slanted Stage.
The Women’s World Cup is an important moment to reflect on how in many countries, women and girls have to fight even to get onto a playing field. And once they do, they face threats and retaliation, unfair pay, harassment, and sexual assault.
Source: Forbes
Representation Matters.
Marta Vieira da Silva, one of soccer’s most decorated and distinguished players, gave an emotional farewell speech after Brazil was unable to advance out of the Group Stages during the 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup, stating the importance of women’s representation in sports.
Source: ESPN
“The future is women. And thanks to the fans for supporting what will be the greatest FIFA Women’s World Cup ever!”
– Gianni Infantino, FIFA president
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