The Champions League final has ended. But the Beautiful Game is still being played. Only, you may not be paying enough attention.
The seventh FIFA Women’s World Cup has just started in Canada. With 24 countries participating, this is the pinnacle of international women’s football. Don’t let the lack of hype dissuade you, as Grant Jarvie points out, women’s football is just as historically significant, if not more than men’s football.
If just the thought of getting back to watching football again isn’t enough, here are some more reasons for you to keep a tab on the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Bigger and better
This year, the World Cup is bigger. Following on from the men’s 2002 World Cup, when the number of participating countries was increased to 32 from 24, this year’s edition has expanded the list of participating countries to 24 from 16. While there may be the odd match where a far superior team dominates a weaker one, it has to be said that the expansion allows viewer to watch a multitude of footballing cultures, all in the span of a month. Increasing the number of places also means more countries get a taste of World Cup football – which could further raise the level of interest in women’s football in these respective countries.
First-timers ahoy!
Eight countries will be participating in their first Women’s World Cup this year. Among them, Thailand stand out because the women’s team has made it to the World Cup while the men's team hasn't as yet. In fact, the Thailand women’s team is ranked 29th (as of March 27, 2015), a hundred places upwards of their male counterparts. For the other seven teams, it’s just as momentous. This is their chance to announce their arrival on an international stage.
No favourites
One of the most exciting aspects of this World Cup is just how close the competition is. There are absolutely no favourites – Japan shocked the world by winning the title in 2011 and will be looking to repeat their feat. Germany are currently the No. 1 team, but will deeply miss the services of star midfielder Nadine Kessler, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2014.
The United States have a great chance to win another title but will face strong opposition from Canada, who have home advantage. Then, there are other teams who’ll fancy their chances – Norway and China are both strong contenders with impressive records in the past. It’s among the most open World Cups ever.
World-class players
This World Cup gives you the chance to watch some of the top women players in football. The biggest attraction is undoubtedly Marta, “the female Pele”, a five-time winner of the FIFA women’s Player of the Year award and the Women’s World Cup’s top scorer with 14 goals. If you’re an Oranje fan, you have reason to rejoice – Netherlands have made it to their first Women’s World Cup and will be pinning their hopes on their new star foward: 18-year old Vivianne Miedema, dubbed the ‘Arjen Robben of the women’s game’
.The artificial turf controversy
What’s a FIFA tournament without a controversy? This time, it’s over the turf – this edition will be played on artificial turf, an act that has not gone down too well with the players. Critics have slammed this decision and have complained of gender discrimination, noting that FIFA would have been unlikely to take such a decision had it been the men’s game. A lawsuit was filed by the players against FIFA in October, 2014, but was withdrawn in January this year.
However, it’s not as though issue has gone away entirely, and all eyes will be on the pitch. If there are a number of serious injuries, FIFA could face a tremendous backlash, something they can ill-afford at this point.
We welcome your comments at
letters@scroll.in.
The seventh FIFA Women’s World Cup has just started in Canada. With 24 countries participating, this is the pinnacle of international women’s football. Don’t let the lack of hype dissuade you, as Grant Jarvie points out, women’s football is just as historically significant, if not more than men’s football.
If just the thought of getting back to watching football again isn’t enough, here are some more reasons for you to keep a tab on the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Bigger and better
This year, the World Cup is bigger. Following on from the men’s 2002 World Cup, when the number of participating countries was increased to 32 from 24, this year’s edition has expanded the list of participating countries to 24 from 16. While there may be the odd match where a far superior team dominates a weaker one, it has to be said that the expansion allows viewer to watch a multitude of footballing cultures, all in the span of a month. Increasing the number of places also means more countries get a taste of World Cup football – which could further raise the level of interest in women’s football in these respective countries.
First-timers ahoy!
Eight countries will be participating in their first Women’s World Cup this year. Among them, Thailand stand out because the women’s team has made it to the World Cup while the men's team hasn't as yet. In fact, the Thailand women’s team is ranked 29th (as of March 27, 2015), a hundred places upwards of their male counterparts. For the other seven teams, it’s just as momentous. This is their chance to announce their arrival on an international stage.
No favourites
One of the most exciting aspects of this World Cup is just how close the competition is. There are absolutely no favourites – Japan shocked the world by winning the title in 2011 and will be looking to repeat their feat. Germany are currently the No. 1 team, but will deeply miss the services of star midfielder Nadine Kessler, who won the FIFA World Player of the Year in 2014.
The United States have a great chance to win another title but will face strong opposition from Canada, who have home advantage. Then, there are other teams who’ll fancy their chances – Norway and China are both strong contenders with impressive records in the past. It’s among the most open World Cups ever.
World-class players
This World Cup gives you the chance to watch some of the top women players in football. The biggest attraction is undoubtedly Marta, “the female Pele”, a five-time winner of the FIFA women’s Player of the Year award and the Women’s World Cup’s top scorer with 14 goals. If you’re an Oranje fan, you have reason to rejoice – Netherlands have made it to their first Women’s World Cup and will be pinning their hopes on their new star foward: 18-year old Vivianne Miedema, dubbed the ‘Arjen Robben of the women’s game’
.The artificial turf controversy
What’s a FIFA tournament without a controversy? This time, it’s over the turf – this edition will be played on artificial turf, an act that has not gone down too well with the players. Critics have slammed this decision and have complained of gender discrimination, noting that FIFA would have been unlikely to take such a decision had it been the men’s game. A lawsuit was filed by the players against FIFA in October, 2014, but was withdrawn in January this year.
However, it’s not as though issue has gone away entirely, and all eyes will be on the pitch. If there are a number of serious injuries, FIFA could face a tremendous backlash, something they can ill-afford at this point.