July 20, 2023

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The FIFA Women’s World Cup is officially underway, as host nations Australia and New Zealand kicked off the hotly anticipated tournament this morning.

The USWNT plays its first match tomorrow night, and we’re breaking down every angle of the event — from the Americans’ chances at a three-peat and the challenges associated with watching games to the controversy around pay equality and how the action is being received Down Under.

Enjoy this special Women’s World Cup Takeover newsletter edition.

— David [[link removed]] & Eric [[link removed]]

U.S. Women Will Likely Face Toughest World Cup Competition Yet [[link removed]]

John Hefti-USA TODAY Sports

The U.S. men’s basketball “Dream Team” went from Olympic dominance to medal disappointment in a span of just 12 years. The U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team is trying to avoid a similar fate in the 2023 Women’s World Cup — and faces an expanded and improved field in its bid for an unprecedented three-peat.

The two-time defending tournament champions will play their first game Friday at 9 p.m. ET (Saturday in New Zealand) against Vietnam. But this time around, the road to success that catapulted the U.S. team to global fame and glory in 2015 and 2019 will be undoubtedly more difficult.

The Americans remain the betting favorites [[link removed]], but the WWC field grew from the 24 teams to 32 — the largest ever. The USWNT’s Group E includes the Netherlands, the 2019 runner-up, and the talent gap between traditional powers such as the U.S., England, Germany, and Japan, and the rest of the world is quickly narrowing.

“The world that is catching up is Wales, is Vietnam, is Zambia, Portugal,” said USWNT coach Vlatko Andonovski. “No game is going to be easy.”

Since the 2019 title, USWNT stars including Alex Morgan and the retiring Megan Rapinoe have become household names, winning a slew of major awards [[link removed]] and generating [[link removed]] millions of dollars in endorsements. Rapinoe also became an outspoken voice on a wide range of social and political issues, and gender pay equity [[link removed]] in soccer.

But the team is well aware that the off-field activity and cultural currency are predicated on continued on-pitch success.

“There’s more everything. But nothing happens without what happens on the field,” Rapinoe said earlier this year.

PODCAST

🎙️ They Said What?

“The NWSL is getting better and better but it’s not good enough, because a lot of teams cannot do what certain teams [in Europe] can in terms of money.”

— U.S. Women’s National Team co-captain Lindsey Horan on the NWSL during the latest episode of Front Office Sports Today.

🎧 Listen and subscribe on Apple [[link removed]], Google [[link removed]], and Spotify [[link removed]].

How U.S. Women Fare On Pitch Will Determine Key TV Windows [[link removed]]

Fox Sports

American fans tuning into the Women’s World Cup will endure a complicated viewing experience trying to follow the action from Australia and New Zealand — over a dozen time zones ahead of the U.S..

Time differences are likely one reason FIFA reportedly missed [[link removed]] its mark on media rights revenue for the tournament by $100 million. Outside of a few handpicked matches, most games will take place in the middle of the night for the U.S. and early morning in Europe — where FIFA greatly struggled [[link removed]?] to find broadcast partners.

The USWNT gets a pair of 9 p.m. ET group-stage matchups against Vietnam on Friday and Netherlands on July 26, but faces Portugal at 3 a.m. ET on Aug. 1. If the U.S. wins its group, it’ll get primetime games in the Round of 16 and quarterfinals, while a second-place finish would garner middle-of-the-night matches.

Either way, the semifinals and final start at 6 a.m. ET or earlier.

Fox is showing [[link removed]] the World Cup in the U.S. as part of an overarching — and controversial [[link removed]] — deal with FIFA extending its original $425 million contract for events from 2015-22 at a slight price markup. Overall, FIFA is bringing in $200 million in media fees, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Docuseries In The Making

Netflix is following the USWNT in Australia and New Zealand, filming a docuseries [[link removed]] on the team’s efforts for a third-straight World Cup title that will be released this fall.

All key players will be featured in the show — including co-captain Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe, who is playing in her final World Cup.

SPONSORED BY TOURISM AUSTRALIA

Kick Off Your Next Vacation, Down Under

Australia invites you to Come and Say G’day, and head to the land Down Under for the ultimate Aussie adventure [[link removed]].

As the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ takes center stage, so do Australia’s unforgettable experiences. Live your own highlight reel as you dive into the world’s largest coral reef, dine against a beautiful backdrop and soar over the red outback.

From Bondi Beach to the Gold Coast, be inspired to experience the icons, the hidden gems and every laidback local in between, because there really is nothing like Australia [[link removed]].

So what are you waiting for? Come and Say G’day [[link removed]].

FIFA Puts Positive Spin On Women’s World Cup’s Controversial Finances [[link removed]]

Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The 2023 Women’s World Cup begins as FIFA hopes to highlight the strides it is taking in women’s soccer — and deflect criticism over pay disparity [[link removed]] with the men’s game.

Prize money totalling $110 million is more than three times the $30 million paid out at the 2019 event but still just 25% of the $440 million awarded to men’s teams in Qatar last year. FIFA has set a goal [[link removed]] of offering equal prize money at the respective 2026 and 2027 men’s and women’s tournaments — although it’s unclear how that will be achieved.

“It’s a moment to focus on the positive, focus on the happiness, focus on the joy,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said [[link removed]] — adding that he would discuss deeper issues in the game after the World Cup concludes next month.

FIFA expects to break even for the Women’s World Cup, Infantino said, anticipating [[link removed]] about $500 million in revenue.

It was previously announced that players would receive at least $30,000 each no matter where their team finished, with the players on the winning squad each earning $270,000.

However, Infantino clarified on Wednesday that those payments go to nations’ soccer federations, and FIFA couldn’t guarantee that every organization would pay that money to its players. “More than auditing or monitoring, it’s engaging,” Infantino said of how FIFA hopes to make sure those federations do what they are supposed to with prize money.

FIFA has reported than the global average annual salary for a female soccer player is $14,000 — so Infantino’s statements will certainly not go unnoticed by the 732 players competing in Australia and New Zealand.

WWC Highlights Disparity Between Co-Hosts Australia and New Zealand [[link removed]]

FIFA

It’s been more than a generation since Australia has commanded the global sports stage, and co-host New Zealand has arguably never gotten close. And before the Women’s World Cup even started, the countries’ hosting progress had dramatically diverged.

In Australia’s biggest event since the 2000 Sydney Olympics, the country has sold about 1 million tickets — the bulk of total tournament ticket sales of nearly 1.4 million, already confirmed to be a WWC record [[link removed]].

In New Zealand, the opposite has largely been true. Slow activity prompted FIFA president Gianni Infantino to plead for more sales, adding to a sponsored allocation [[link removed]] of 20,000 free tickets, while the overall WWC reception [[link removed]] has been relatively muted.

“New Zealand, we want you. We need you,” Infantino said. “It’s never too late to do the right thing.”

Though the two countries merged WWC hosting bids in 2019 and have been working together since, the separation isn’t surprising. Australia’s population, more than 25 million, is five times as large as New Zealand’s 5 million. Many fans need two separate travel visas to see matches in both countries.

The reputation of Sydney — already set to host one semifinal and the final in its Stadium Australia — is also burnished [[link removed]] by the new Sydney Football Stadium, which will host a series of group-stage matches and a round-of-16 contest.

The 40,583-seat facility, rebuilt on the grounds of the original Sydney Football Stadium, is described as a “stadium in the park” and boasts design and environmental features far beyond other facilities in the region.

Conversation Starters Check out Nike’s new ad [[link removed]] for the USWNT’s Sophia Smith: “Nice to Beat You.” Nike and Martine Rose tailored custom suits [[link removed]] for the USWNT ahead of their World Cup campaign. Roger Bennett, founder of the Men in Blazers media network, suggested [[link removed]] that the U.S. has had a structural advantage in women’s soccer: “Title IX exists in the United States. It doesn’t exist anywhere else in the world.”

SPONSORED BY TOURISM AUSTRALIA

Australia Invites You to Come and Say G’day

As the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ takes center stage, so does Australia [[link removed]].

Get ready for the Aussie adventure [[link removed]] of a lifetime as Australia invites you to indulge in its unparalleled experiences. Explore the Great Barrier Reef, cruise the Kimberley, or take in breathtaking Sydney Harbour.

Discover why there’s nothing like Australia for an unforgettable vacation. The laid-back culture, friendly locals, famous icons and diverse landscapes can’t be experienced anywhere else in the world.

Your next vacation is just a hop, skip and jump away. So Come and Say G’day [[link removed]].

More Women's World Cup Women’s World Cup Puts Prize Money Disparity In Spotlight [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]

The national team of host country Australia is calling out FIFA.

Fox Wants To Cash In On ‘Golden Era’ Of Women’s Sports [[link removed]]by Michael McCarthy [[link removed]] and Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

Hoping to capitalize on momentum, Fox Sports has prepared an ambitious plan.

FIFA Reportedly Falls $100 Million Short of Women’s World Cup Rights Goal [[link removed]]by Andrew Cohen [[link removed]]

FIFA's first year selling Women's World Cup broadcast rights was a letdown.

Free Women’s World Cup Tickets Offered With New Zealand Sales Lagging [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]

The FIFA Women's World Cup begins July 20 in Australia and New Zealand.

Women’s World Cup Still On Track To Set Attendance Mark [[link removed]]by David Rumsey [[link removed]]

Ticket demand is growing for the FIFA Women's World Cup.

Question Of The Day

Would you be interested in watching or attending a rugby match?

Yes [[link removed]] No [[link removed]] I already have [[link removed]]

Wednesday’s Answer

51% of respondents drink energy drinks.

Advertise [[link removed]] Awards [[link removed]] Learning [[link removed]] Video [[link removed]] Podcast [[link removed]] Sports Careers [[link removed]] Written by Eric Fisher [[link removed]], David Rumsey [[link removed]] Edited by Matthew Tabeek [[link removed]], Brian Krikorian [[link removed]]

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