The Women’s World Cup and why you should be watching it

The FIFA Women’s Football World Cup is on the horizon, and for many, the first reaction will sadly be – so? After the heights of last year’s World Cup, and the success of England’s Men, it is a shame that the Women’s national team will find it difficult to engage the nation on the same level as Southgate’s waistcoat. But does this have to be the case? Once again, the infamous stereotypes of the women’s game come to the forefront of social media. ‘This is like watching amateurs but in slow motion’. ‘It’s boring?’ ‘It’s dull.’ ‘It lacks quality.’ Stereotypical claims that may have held some truth in the past, but now like these comments seem a world away from the current realities of the women’s game.

The Women’s game has developed rapidly over the last few years. A crowd of 60,739 watched Duggan’s Barcelona beat Atletico Madrid in March, setting an attendance record for a top-flight domestic women’s game in Europe. We have seen a rise in the number of Premier League Clubs creating a Women’s team. West Ham United’s rise, and FA Cup run, is a particular sign of the increase to competitiveness the WSL will see over the next few years, as a consequence of proper funding.

A World Cup presents a different and certainly more difficult challenge

Whilst we have seen a 13% rise in WSL attendances over the past year, this summer is a huge opportunity to push the popularity of the women’s game on both a domestic and global level. Phil Neville’s team have a huge chance to create a legacy from their time in Paris, especially off the back of a successful performance in ‘The SheBelievesCup’, in which England beat Japan and Brazil, and also gained a credible draw against the US, on their way to victory.

However, a World Cup presents a different and certainly more difficult challenge. Even so, the Lionesses have the individual ability and squad depth to justify their status as one of the pre-tournament favourites. Captained by Steph Houghton, England possess a wealth of both creative and defensive talent. Nikita Paris is, of course, one to watch, with Duggan and Scott also huge sources of creativity going forward.

It is difficult to ignore England’s chances of success this summer

In particular, it is Lucy Bronze, a player considered widely to be the best right-back in the world, who will be the forefront of England’s World Cup chances. Her athleticism is key to England’s success, and she certainly debunks the myth that female footballers are considerably less athletic than their male counterparts. Phil Neville spoke of his belief of a successful tournament and as a team who sit 3rd in the FIFA World Rankings (only Germany and the US rank higher), it is difficult to ignore England’s chances of success this summer.

However, even if England win the World Cup this summer, it is a shame to admit that if we mention this in August most people will think you’re talking about Eoin Morgan rather than Steph Houghton leading their national side to success. The women’s game is still not taken as seriously as it should be, and with the investment and growth of professional national teams, this should no longer be the case. Before you dismiss women’s football, watch it and then judge it. Engage with and support The Lionesses. Even if it means just following England Women on social media, or just watching the highlights online.

Of course success is the aim for England this summer

Don’t just tune into Thailand vs Argentina on BBC4 and then give up, because this as much a reflection of the women’s game as San Marino vs India is a reflection of the men’s game. Judge the women’s game by watching England Vs Germany or France vs Japan. Judge it by the later stages of the competition, and then you will see how much women’s football has changed over the past few years. By the knockout stages of the completion, you will be pleasantly surprised by the quality of football on show.

Of course, success is the aim for England this summer, but across the Women’s game, there is a feeling that this world cup is particularly important for the game’s global image. There has been, rightly, huge moves to get rid of the prejudice that exists within the Women’s game, and how the players are viewed and constantly compared to their male counterparts.

Winning the World Cup is England’s best chance of equal pay

Frank Kirby who won Women’s Footballer of the Year last year, stated that winning the World Cup is England’s best chance of equal pay. Her national counterpart Toni Duggan echoed this theme, stating that success for England at this summer’s world cup is vital for the future engagement with the Women’s Super League, and she is certainly right. If England can create a buzz around their World Cup Campaign, they can create a legacy that will push the Women’s game further in the right direction. Sadly, only then, perhaps people will begin to acknowledge the huge steps the Women’s game has already made over the last decade.