FIFA president Gianni Infantino made his usual prediction on the eve of this Women’s World Cup.
He declared the tournament in Australia and New Zealand will be “the greatest FIFA Women’s World Cup ever” and, while those words are no surprise, on this occasion they should ring true.
A record 1.4million tickets have been sold, with the vast majority in Australia, where there is a growing buzz about the tournament.
The excitement is building because there is a real belief Australia can go all the way, despite previously never getting past the quarter-finals.
There are clear parallels with England last year, when the Lionesses won the Euros, and one senses the Matildas will surely capture more of the nation’s attention if they go deep in the tournament.
“I think for years to come this will be talked about, hopefully for decades to come,” said Australia captain Sam Kerr before she was ruled out of her country’s opener against the Republic of Ireland on Thursday morning. “You saw what happened in England with the Euros, so hopefully we can replicate that.”
Australia are one of several sides who could win this World Cup and that is what makes it such an exciting prospect. Ticket sales and television viewing figures are one thing, but it is the football that will be remembered.
As many as eight or nine teams could win this tournament, although there is clearly one side of the draw that looks easier than the other.
Unfortunately for England, led by skipper Millie Bright, they are in that tougher side and, while a group of China, Denmark and Haiti looks very winnable, far greater tests lie ahead.
The Lionesses’ half includes Australia, Copa America champions Brazil, last year’s Euros finalists Germany, France and Olympic champions Canada.
The other side looks more straightforward, with Spain and reigning champions USA the favourites to make the latter stages.
England will be relieved they have less travel than others. The Lionesses’ group games are in Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney. Denmark, by contrast, have two trips across the country to Perth either side of their match with England in Sydney.
England do not arrive here, though, with the flying form with which they entered Euro 2022. They have not scored in any of their past three games, while they are without captain Leah Williamson, Fran Kirby and Beth Mead.
A row with clubs over the release dates for players for the pre-tournament training camp has not helped. Nor has the players and the FA being at loggerheads over performance-related bonuses. The Lionesses will hope to go into those talks armed with the strong negotiating position of a successful World Cup.
England players are striving to raise the standards in the women’s game, but the group stage could underline the gulf that still remains between the top teams and the rest.
At the last tournament, USA beat Thailand 13-0 at the group stage and, with this World Cup expanded from 24 teams to 32, there could be more one-sided games. Those mismatches should only end with more investment in the women’s game and this World Cup could provide a huge leap forward.
The tournament is full of great storylines. The USA are looking to win an unprecedented third straight title, Australia as co-hosts are trying to inspire a nation, Germany want redemption after losing the final of Euro 2022 and France’s golden generation are vying for one final shot at glory.
And then there is England, who are aiming to follow up European success by winning their first Women’s World Cup. That win over Germany 12 months ago was historic, but triumphing here would eclipse that.
