The Women’s World Cup is here, and it’s time to get excited! The tournament promises to be full of thrilling matches, incredible storylines, and unforgettable moments. At The Athletic, we are dedicated to bringing you the best coverage of the tournament, with our team of writers, editors, podcasters, and videographers heading out to Australia and New Zealand to provide you with all the latest updates and insights.
There are so many exciting storylines to follow in this year’s Women’s World Cup. The United States is aiming to make history by becoming the first team to win three World Cups in a row. England, led by coach Sarina Wiegman, is hoping to build on their success at the Euros and bring home the game’s biggest prize. Spain and France are looking to put their off-field issues behind them and deliver on the pitch. The tournament is also an opportunity for new stars to emerge, with many big names sidelined due to injuries. Brazil’s Marta, one of the greatest players of all time, has one last chance for World Cup glory. And let’s not forget about Australia’s Sam Kerr, who is carrying the weight of a nation on her shoulders.
Before we dive into the tournament, there are a couple of things we’d like to address. If you’re not interested in watching the World Cup, that’s totally fine. But please refrain from complaining about it for the next month. We believe you’re missing out on something special, but we understand that everyone has different interests. Secondly, it’s important to remember that these players are fantastic athletes. You’ll witness brilliant goals, saves, passes, runs, and tackles. Just like in the men’s game, there will be mistakes too. Criticizing bad play is normal, but using it as an opportunity to belittle women’s sport is unfair and tiresome.
To help you navigate through the multitude of games, storylines, and big moments, we have a variety of approaches in place. If you’re a fan of the U.S., you can follow our talented writers Meg Linehan, Steph Yang, Jeff Rueter, and Kim McCauley as they provide in-depth coverage of the team’s journey. For England fans, Charlotte Harpur, Chloe Morgan, Katie Whyatt, Jacob Whitehead, and Michael Cox will be your go-to sources for all things Lionesses. Laia Cervello Herrero will be following Spain, and we have several other writers who will bring you the best stories from around the tournament. From the amazing stories of teams like China, Haiti, Zambia, and Vietnam to exploring what the tournament means to the Aboriginal and Maori populations, we’ll cover it all. We’ll also delve into controversial themes from Ireland, Jamaica, and South Africa, and discuss important topics like FIFA’s representation of women, equality within the game, and the physical strain on players’ bodies.
Our coverage will include news stories, live coverage of matches, group guides, profiles of players to watch, tactical analysis, long-form articles, two regular podcasts (one focused on the U.S., the other on England), behind-the-scenes videos, and engaging content on our social channels. If you haven’t checked out “The Radar” before, now is the perfect time. It’s a data-driven guide to the best players at the tournament and is truly fantastic.
In addition to our team of writers, we have assembled a group of guest writers who will provide extra perspective throughout the tournament. World Cup winner Sam Mewis, who unfortunately is injured this time around, will be sharing her insights with us. Arsenal and Netherlands goal machine Vivianne Miedema, who is also injured, will join Sam in providing expert analysis. Former WSL defender Jenna Schillaci and former England international Fern Whelan will offer their unique perspectives, and prolific Wrexham striker Paul Mullin will also contribute to our coverage.
If you prefer to receive your World Cup updates via newsletter, we’ve got you covered. Sign up for “Full Time,” our newsletter driven by Emily Olsen, which will feature plenty of content from Meg and Steph.
With our comprehensive coverage, you won’t miss a beat during the Women’s World Cup. As for who will win the tournament, that’s anyone’s guess. But rest assured, we’ll have a long read ready to go when the champions are crowned.
In the meantime, we’ve compiled a list of recommended reading and listening material to get you started. We appreciate your continued support and hope you enjoy the tournament!
– Alex
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– (Photos: Getty Images; design: Eamonn Dalton)