Major success of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

The FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ has already carved its place in the annals of football history as a resounding success. The two host nations have successfully sparked a football festival, with the tournament drawing record crowds, competitive matches, and a spirit of camaraderie that has gripped both local and visiting fans alike. The event has proven so successful that FIFA President Gianni Infantino felt compelled to express his gratitude towards the two host nations for their monumental efforts in elevating the profile of women’s football to an unprecedented global level.

“I would really like to express a huge thank you to New Zealand and to Australia for hosting us here,” said President Infantino. The tournament, according to him, embodies the spirit of unity, with the host nations playing a crucial role in creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for every single participant, from the volunteers and police officers to the spectators and the millions of viewers tuning in from home.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ has been characterised by impressive feats since its inaugural day on July 20. More than 117,000 fans thronged Eden Park in Auckland and Stadium Australia in Sydney, shattering previous attendance records for both men’s and women’s football in New Zealand and marking the highest attendance at a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ for 24 years. Just six days into the tournament, FIFA had already achieved and exceeded its ticket sales target, selling more than 1.5 million tickets for the 64 matches.

The first round of games, capped off by the Korea Republic vs. Colombia match, drew a total attendance of 459,547 with an average of 28,721 spectators per game—a 54% increase compared to the first 16 games of the previous tournament in France in 2019. The introduction of FIFA Fan Festivals, organised for the first time at a FIFA Women’s World Cup, has also been a tremendous hit among fans.

The FIFA President further highlighted the global impact of the tournament, with it being broadcast in 200 territories through 130 broadcasters and boasting viewership figures that are projected to reach two billion.

Even the matches held in the most remote venues were received with overwhelming enthusiasm, as evidenced by the Switzerland vs. Philippines game in Dunedin, the southernmost place where a World Cup match has been held, attracting between 14,000 and 15,000 attendees.

The tournament’s competitive edge has also been a significant highlight, vindicating the decision to expand the finals to include 32 teams. The initial 16 games yielded two draws, seven matches decided by one goal, and two decided by two goals, with both Colombia and New Zealand securing unexpected victories against higher-ranked teams, Korea Republic and Norway.

“The matches are of an extremely high quality,” Infantino concluded. ”I think this is also one of the features of this World Cup. For the first time 32 countries (are participating), eight debutants, and (there have been) great games, great goals (and) some underdogs who create some surprises or give a tough time to the favourites.”

All in all, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023™ has proven to be a watershed moment for women’s football, drawing record crowds, creating a festive atmosphere, and raising the profile of the women’s game on a global scale.