On and Off the Field Highlights From the WWC 2023

Every four years, soccer fans wait for the Women’s World Cup. The tournament comes and goes. Leaving fans wanting more and creating memories. The growth of the game can be equated on and off the field.

The tournament’s impact on and off the field is increasing. 

Down go the tournament favorites 

Coming into the 2023 tournament, many experts had anointed Team USA as the favorites to win Gold. For good reason, the squad is a four-time winner of Gold. Winning back-to-back tournaments in 2015 and 2019. The roster was loaded with veteran players who played together in many matches. Experts were not the only ones expecting the USA to win. Vegas had the team as tournament favorites with +250 odds.

Team USA started hot in their first match of the tournament. Defeating Vietnam 3-0. That victory was the only moment when the team lived up to expectations. In the following match, we saw them tie the Netherlands 1-1. In the third and final group stage match between Portugal, the two teams tied 0-0. The USA was fortunate enough to edge out Portugal in the group stage. With seven points to Portugal’s five. The round of 16 is where the tournament would end. The USA lost in penalties to Sweden. This early exit was the worst performance from a USA women’s team in World Cup history. The previous being third place in 1995,2003 and 2007. This Served as a reminder anything can happen in the game of soccer. The tournament favorites are not safe from an upset. 

Record attendance and sold-out venues

The 2023 host countries for the tournament were Australia and New Zealand. It was the first time in Women’s World Cup history two different countries teamed up to host a cup. Each country had five different venues for the 64 matches. Despite hosting the tournament in two different countries, FIFA had no problem filling up stadiums. 

According to FIFA.com, “The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ is already a resounding success, just six days into the tournament, thanks to record attendances, more than 1.5 million tickets sold, competitive matches, and a festive atmosphere in the two host nations,”

Selling out tickets days into the tournament was a major win for the sport. A positive sign towards evolving the game.

Soccer enjoyers are paying attention 

Spain was the tournament champion. They faced off against England, and back home, the team had plenty of support. When Spain took down England 1-0, up to 7.4 million viewers tuned in to watch the match. Marking it the highest TV audience ever for a Spain women’s soccer match. England, the runner-ups in the tournament, also drew in a crowd of millions back home. BBC reported up to 12 million viewers watch the team on BBC. This amount of viewers is a record TV audience for a Women’s World Cup.

The two countries having record ratings for their World Cup finale is important for the game and future generations. People of all ages can watch people from the same background as they accomplish their goals, draw inspiration, and help them achieve their own.