Money talks, and sportswashing often works. Some of football’s biggest names now call the Saudi Pro League home.
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.
Have you found yourself liking sport for the first time and wondering how you got here? Here’s what might be going on – and why it might be the best thing for your wellbeing.
On August 6, the Australian Diamonds won the Netball World Cup for the 12th time – but it received a fraction of the coverage the Matildas are getting.
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.
Many concussions in soccer occur when two players compete to head the ball. But extra technique training, modifying how we play the game, and more ‘red cards’ help cut the risk.
A United States women’s national team member takes a shot during a FIFA Women’s World Cup send-off soccer match in San Jose, Calif., on July 9, 2023. Sponsorship and marketing deals with women athletes are often performative and exploitative.
(AP Photo/Josie Lepe)
While positive change has been seen, especially surrounding this year’s Women’s World Cup, there is still much work to be done by organizations governing women’s professional sports.
The end of the glory years for the U.S. Women’s National Team?
AP Photo/Claude Paris
The US national team is the favorite going into the tournament in New Zealand and Australia. But growth in the global game has seen others catch up.
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 successful Australia-New Zealand bid for the Women’s World Cup made much of the tournament’s potential to build the game for girls and young women. History suggests this is easier said than done.
Karim Benzema – taking the money and running into the box.
AP Photo/Hussein Malla
Anti-racist programs and fines have failed to end racism in European soccer. Part of the problem is that Black players have little representation higher up the sport’s hierarchy.
Donnell Wallam of the Diamonds scores the match-winning point during the netball match between the Australian Diamonds and the England Roses.
Darren Pateman/AAP
Ellen van Neerven cleverly invites us to question what it means to play sport on a ‘Country that is rich in story’, on a playing field that’s almost always uneven for Blackfullas.
Research Fellow, Institute for Health & Sport, member of the Community, Identity and Displacement Research Network, and Co-convenor of the Olympic Research Network, Victoria University