We are on the verge of the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. And if you are struggling to get too excited, then think again.
After all, this will be the most attended women’s sporting event in history. More than a million tickets sold means it is set to surpass the competition in France for years ago as the most attended standalone women’s sporting event in history.
With no fewer than eight nations set to play in the tournament for the first time, we can expect Women’s World Cup 2023 highlights and, while critics of the expansion from 24 to 32 teams have raised concerns that inexperienced newcomers might be trampled beneath the feet of the traditional powerhouses from Europe and North America, that may also add to the element of shock.
Certainly, qualifying produced its own drama. Take Haiti for example.
Managed by Nerilia Mondesir, who took the under 20s to the 2018 World Cup in that age group, this is a huge step forward for a country which has never previously graced the competition.
Their 2-1 win over Chile in their inter-confederation play-off final, dashing Chilean hopes of a second successive appearance at the global finals, provided one of the stories as star player Melchie Dumornay grabbed a history-making match-winning brace.
And what of another first-time finalist in Zambia, who only recently showed they should not be underestimated as they shocked two-time world champions Germany 3-2, albeit it was a friendly.
The SBOTOP Women’s World Cup 2023 betting odds will naturally back the bigger nations, such as reigning European champions England.
Dutch woman Sarina Wiegman led the Netherlands to Euro 2017 glory on home soil before doing the same with England last year, while sandwiched in between was a run to the final of the 2019 World Cup with the Dutch.
She also led the Lionesses on a 30-game unbeaten run – going a full calendar year without a loss in 2022 – before their defeat by Australia in April. As a player, she became the first player to represent the Netherlands 100 times and was a school teacher before moving into full-time coaching.
Her presence has certainly help make England believe, and they will begin as second favourites behind holders, the USA, and ahead of my outside tip, Spain.
So, while qualifying had its moments, there were clear winners in the majority of groups and the best is yet to come.
Of course, there can be improvements off the park.
World players’ union Fifpro has urged FIFA to improve conditions for all players in qualifiers for the next Women’s World Cup after a report highlighted multiple inconsistencies in the scheduling, duration and format during qualifying for this.
Earlier this week, Fifpro published research, highlighting the different pathways and conditions for players.
The organisation also conducted the first global survey of players about the Women’s World Cup qualifying, where 362 players completed an anonymous digital survey.
It showed 54-per cent were not provided with a pre-tournament medical, 66-per cent said recovery facilities were not of an elite standard or did not exist and 70-per cent were not provided with a pre-tournament ECG heart check-up.
It added that 59-per cent flew economy class, including for flights over long distances.
This backdrop to the tournament will be put aside, not forgotten, when the action begins next week and hopefully the huge strides made in the women’s game in recent years are played out before a global audience.
It deserves this stage.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
