Women’s football has a chance to go global – it must take it
The World Cup could prove transformative for the women’s game if the right next steps are taken
The numbers speak for themselves. France’s win over Brazil in the last 16 was the most watched women’s game of all time with 59 million tuning in worldwide. Eighty-eight per cent of TV viewers in the Netherlands watched their final with the USA. England’s semi-final heartbreak was witnessed by 11.7 million, a new high mark for not only women’s football in the UK, but television full stop in 2019.
And what of the stars of the show. Megan Rapinoe is now a household name, both inside the White House and out. In the superb Rose Lavelle the USA already have the player to carry on what Rapinoe has started long into the future. Lucy Bronze rightfully took her place amongst the elite while England teammate Ellen White lit up the tournament with some of the most nerveless finishing you would ever wish to see.
This last month in France has truly shown what women’s football can be. But what now? With any major tournament the talk of legacy is always paramount. So what will the legacy of France 2019 be?
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies