Numbers Don't Lie - Women's Football on the Rise

“Numbers are the most certain things we have.” - Andy Rooney

There are 6 confederations under FIFA , 5 out of the 6 had tournaments during the month of July, 4 out of the 5 host nations made it to the final. 3 of the tournaments had first time winners. Records were shattered in England and Morocco, including an 87,192 attendance at Wembley and 50,000+ in Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium.

The tournaments were some of the most successful sporting events of the year - not just in women’s sport, but for sport in general - and that is something to be proud of. Anyone reading this or paying attention to any sort of news knows full well that the Women’s Euros was a huge success. Records were surpassed on and off the field and the entire nation got behind the Lionesses to bring the trophy home.?

But what about the rest of the world? And who has now qualified for the FIFA Women's World Cup? ?

The CONCACAF W Championship, saw one of the most disappointing performances by a host nation. Mexico was unable to produce anything on the field, their proudest moment coming in a last-minute 1-0 defeat vs the US, but by this time in the tournament they were already unable to qualify for the latter stages. The US didn’t give one of their best performances at the tournament but in true US fashion they still came through with a championship. Alex Morgan though showed the world that being mother and a top player go hand in hand by having a stellar performance and getting player of the tournament. The tournament served as an Olympic and World Cup Qualifier so every game had something on the line.?

Automatically Qualified for World Cup:

• USA
• Canada
• Jamaica
• Costa Rica

Qualified for World Cup inter-confederation playoff tournament:

• Panama
• Haiti

Automatically Qualified for Olympics:

• USA

Qualified for a play-off match for second Olympic spot:

• Canada
• Jamaica

The Confederation Africaine de Football (CAF) AFCON, saw South Africa win the final against home nation Morocco in a thrilling final. It is no surprise that the Banyana Banyana women finally brought the trophy home after four finals and no trophy. They were offered a hefty bonus of R55,000 bonus payment at the start of the tournament, a sum which, following national reports, has come under scrutiny, but that’s a newsletter for another day. Morocco were not only exciting on the pitch but off it too. The way the country and its fans rallied behind the team was just incredible. Even the semifinal broke records with 46,000 turning up to cheer on the team. It is no surprise that Morocco is reaping on-field benefits as the Fédération Royale Marocaine de Football has been investing in infrastructure around the women’s team with a very specific strategy to develop the women’s game. The tournament served as a World Cup Qualifier.

Automatically Qualified for World Cup:

• South Africa
• Morocco
• Zambia
• Nigeria

Qualified for inter-confederation playoffs:

• Cameroon
• Senegal?

The CONMEBOL Copa América Feminina, was won by Brazil for the eighth time but that doesn’t mean it was an easy tournament for them especially playing home nation and Cinderella story Colombia in the final. The top goal scorer was Yamila Rodriguez (Argentina), bringing some positive fanfare around an FA that could do more to support its female players. From solid prize money - $1.5 million for the winner and $500,000 for the runner-up - to Pia Sundhage becoming the first female coach to raise the trophy, the tournament is definitely deemed a success in my book. The tournament also served as a World Cup and Olympic qualification stage.

Automatically Qualified for World Cup:

• Brazil
• Colombia
• Argentina

Qualified for inter-confederation playoffs

• Paraguay
• Chile

Automatically Qualified for Olympics

• Brazil
• Colombia

The Oceania Football Confederation Women’s Nations Cup, saw the top-ranked team going on to win the tournament for the very first time. Papua New Guinea, three-times OFC runners-up, defeated the host nation Fiji in the final and finally brought home the silverware. The win was not enough to gain an automatic bid for the World Cup as co-host nation New Zealand receives the automatic bid Papa New Guinea will play in an inter-confederation playoffs to win their first appearance in the World Cup.?

The UEFA Women’s Euros were arguably the most successful and well-run women’s tournament to date. There is nothing I could write here that hasn’t been written before. The one interesting note that you might not know and that completely differs from all the other tournaments is that it was not a World Cup or Olympic Qualifier. We don’t have to wait another four years to see these incredible teams battle it out again. We can tune in throughout the year and cheer or console ourselves with their incredible footballing exploits.?

The numbers don’t lie and the success of all the tournaments show that women’s football pendulum is swinging in the right direction. The only thing I ask is for all of you reading is to keep watching, keep supporting and keep questioning. Don’t forget that Europe is not the only place women’s football is being played and the entire spectrum needs support, not just for your country or what are perceived to be the top clubs. Share this article and talk about the other confederations you’re not as familiar with. Look up the tournaments, watch the replays, tell me what information I’m missing. And, most importantly, let’s propel the women’s football industry forward together!