The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Politics, Representation, & Management
A summary of the book:
The introduction chapter of "The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Politics, Representation, and Management" provides an in-depth exploration of the tournament's significance as a landmark event in the evolution of women’s football. The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup marked several historic firsts, including being the first co-hosted by two nations—Australia and New Zealand—and the first played under an expanded 32-team format. The chapter highlights the rapid global growth of women’s football, emphasizing increasing participation, rising fan engagement, and significant advancements in professionalization. This growth is further supported by FIFA’s strategic initiatives to enhance visibility and investment in women’s sports, aligning with broader societal efforts to promote gender equity.
The editors position the 2023 tournament as a pivotal opportunity to advance women's football globally and address long-standing issues such as labor precarity and gender inequality. The text calls for critical analysis of the tournament’s socio-political, cultural, and economic dimensions, examining its impact on legacy planning, regional development, and Indigenous inclusion. With contributions from diverse scholars, the book presents a comprehensive account of how the event intertwines with broader debates on gender equality and global sports governance, serving as a foundational resource for future research.
Key Takeaways
The 2023 Women’s World Cup set historic precedents, including co-hosting by two nations and the first 32-team format, reflecting the sport’s rapid growth.
FIFA’s strategic initiatives aim to modernize and commercialize women’s football, positioning the tournament as a driver for global participation and equity.
The event highlights critical themes, such as labor precarity, legacy planning, and cultural representation, offering a platform for advancing gender equality in sports.
Editors: Adam Beissel, Julie Brice, Verity Postlethwaite, and Andrew Grainger
The book is available for purchase here.
