“This is going to be the biggest and best ever Women’s World Cup.” There is no need to attribute the quote because it has come out of the mouth of almost every Fifa official, coach, player and pundit as the clock has ticked down and tournament fever has ramped up. What’s more: it is true.
This will very literally be the biggest Women’s World Cup in history with the competition expanded from 24 to 32 teams. Eight of the countries in Australia and New Zealand will be making their World Cup debuts. And, with Fifa targeting a global audience of two billion and one and a half million through the gates, it is likely to be the biggest in that respect too. That it will be the best is somewhat inevitable as well, the consequence of a rapidly developing game where each improvement naturally leads to a better product on the pitch.
