Spain’s Esther González holds the trophy celebrating at the end of the Women’s World Cup soccer final between Spain and England at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 20, 2023.
(AP Photo/Abbie Parr)
By examining the FIFA Women’s World Cup performances, we can gain insights into the efforts countries are making to address gender inequality beyond sports.
Morocco football players celebrate with fans.
Aitor Alcalde - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
African teams take the football world cup by storm.
Canada’s Vanessa Gilles reacts at the full-time whistle after losing their Group B soccer match 4-0 against Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Melbourne, Australia, on July 31, 2023.
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Scott Barbour
The implications of the Canadian women’s soccer team’s World Cup loss goes beyond Canadian national pride.
Canada forward Janine Beckie watches after attempting a shot during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women’s soccer match against the United States, Feb. 16, 2023, in Orlando, Fla.
(AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
Gender disparities in sport extend to injuries too. Female soccer players are at greater risk for ACL tears than males and it is clear immediate action is needed to address the non-biological factors for the injury.
If the FA aims to promote both their men’s and women’s national teams equally, my findings suggest they should reassess their current social media strategy.
France’s Estelle Cascarino, right, kicks the ball past Australia’s Mary Fowler during their friendly soccer match in Melbourne, on July 14, 2023, ahead of the Women’s World Cup.
(AP Photo/Hamish Blair)
While the 2023 Women’s World Cup might be the best yet for women in terms of investments and viewership, there is still room for improvement for the 2027 World Cup.
The England women’s team huddle before playing Wales in a World Cup qualifier.
Shutterstock/Influential Photography
Nigeria leads in the rankings of the four African teams. Two others are making debut World Cup appearances and there’s a storm cloud over South Africa.
England player Beth Mead at the women’s World Cup semi-final against the US in 2019.
Romain Biard/Shutterstock
While things are improving for the women’s game in terms of equality, a series of depressing instances of blatant misogyny show there is a long way to go.
In a post-coronavirus world, it remains unclear if the World Cup can deliver on projected tourist numbers, ticket sales and other revenue sources for hosts Australia and New Zealand.
Manchester City players argue with the referee after a City goal was disallowed in the club’s Premier League match against Spurs, August 2019.
EPA-EFE/Peter Powell
Analysis of every goal-scoring opportunity at the 2015 Women’s World Cup reveals the most effective ways for footballers to gain possession and create a chance to score.
The beautiful game may be an art, but it’s also a science.
PA
The science of why people prefer to watch games with teams that are close in ability levels rather than a game where one team is far better than the other.
FIFA defends the pay imbalance with the usual claim that it reflects the difference in revenue produced by the men’s and women’s tournaments.
Guillaume Horcajuelo/EPA
For years, women footballers have resorted to everything from strikes to lawsuits to fight for gender equity. Why is it taking so long to close the pay gap?
Glittering prize: the FIFA Women’s World Cup on display in Paris.
EPA-EFE/Christophe Petit Tesson