June 5 – With so much focus on the corruption scandal engulfing FIFA, it is easy to forget that the women’s World Cup gets under way this weekend in Canada. Opening games are tomorrow with hosts Canada playing China, followed by New Zealand taking on the Netherlands. Both matches are being played in Edmonton.
Sepp Blatter and Jerome Valcke may be staying away but the seventh edition of the tournament promises to be the best with 24 teams competing for the first time.
FIFA has been putting increasing emphasis on the women’s game and the global television audience is expected to break all records.
Ticket sales are strong and the Canadian organisers are hoping to use the event as a platform for a possible bid to host the men’s event in 2026.
Many of the top players are still resentful at being forced to play on artificial turf following their failed lawsuit on the grounds of gender discrimination. But that will have to be put to one side, especially by the Americans who have not won the event since their1999 triumph on home soil, despite always having one of the best squads. Four years ago they finished runners-up in Germany when Japan won on penalties to become the first Asian winners.
The Germans, who triumphed in 2003 and 2007, will probably start favourites as the top-ranked side in the world and winners of the last six Euros.
The introduction of goal-line technology for the first time adds to the credibility of a tournament that is now an important part of the international calendar and will be a welcome relief from the bribery storm enveloping FIFA.
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