FIFA and its President, Gianni Infantino, can rub their hands: the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the first in history to bring together 32 teams and be organised by two neighbouring countries, Australia and New Zealand, was a success. In the words of the Italian-Swiss leader, it was even “the best ever“. Gianni Infantino suggested as much in Sydney, on the sidelines of the final won by Spain against England in front of 75,000 spectators (photo above): “FIFA got it right. We had many countries who suddenly realised they had a chance to participate. Now, everyone has a chance to shine on the global stage.” Also according to FIFA, the 2023 Women’s World Cup generated more than $570 million. The tournament enabled the body to break even. It will also be remembered for the spectacular rise in bonuses paid to the teams. Increased to a historic total of $152 million, they have been tripled compared to the 2019 edition in France, and multiplied by ten compared to the 2015 World Cup in Canada. “This edition will remain groundbreaking, not only in Australia and New Zealand, but also around the world,” Gianni Infantino assured us as we took stock. “We welcomed almost two million spectators in packed stadiums, while two billion television viewers around the world followed the competition in front of their screens. I mean the competition – not just their team.“
