{"id":2073,"date":"2019-06-06T09:22:37","date_gmt":"2019-06-06T09:22:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/OU-Sport\/?p=2073"},"modified":"2019-06-09T23:04:19","modified_gmt":"2019-06-09T23:04:19","slug":"be-ready-for-the-fifa-womens-world-cup-2019","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.open.ac.uk\/blogs\/OU-Sport\/?p=2073","title":{"rendered":"Be Ready for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Helen Owton<\/strong><\/p>\n

On Friday 7th<\/sup> June 2019, France will host the 8th<\/sup> edition of the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup. Lyon is recognised as a city where sport is hugely popular putting football on the very highest pedestal which is an ideal location because the convenient time zone to attract large audiences means that women\u2019s football could hit even greater global heights of popularity. The hosts kick off the tournament against South Korea at the Parc de Princes (Paris) at 20:00 UK time. A total of 24 teams qualified for the tournament with the hosts being sorted into a group they are expected to win.<\/p>\n

If you thought the FIFA WWC in Canada in 2015 and EURO 2017<\/a> was exciting Joey Peters says that this year, \u201c\u2026a new level of tactical sophistication is expected to evolve this tournament \u2013 not so much the tempo of the game but more how each team connects, adapts and thrives in such a pressure pot atmosphere.\u201d (Joey Peters, 2019<\/a>).<\/p>\n

The Groups<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

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Image<\/a><\/p>\n

Locations<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n

Since the FIFA World Cup in 2015 which was hosted in Canada, women\u2019s football has grown in popularity, visibility with the recognition of the ever-increasing reputation on women\u2019s football. Parc des Princes, home of Paris Saint-Germain, is the fifth largest stadium in France with the capacity of 48,583 but one its oldest and hosted matches in the 1998 men’s World Cup. It is one of nine venues where 52 matches will be held: \u00a0the Stade du Hainaut in Valenciennes, the Stade Auguste-Delaune in Reims, the Stade des Alpes in Grenoble, Roazhon Park in Rennes, the Stade de la Mosson in Montpellier, the Allianz Riviera in Nice, the Stade Oceane in Le Havre. The final of the women\u2019s world cup will be played at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon on 7th<\/sup> July which seats 59,186.<\/p>\n

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Image<\/a><\/p>\n

Dare to Shine<\/strong><\/p>\n

The motto behind the FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup is \u201cDare to Shine<\/a>\u201d which is a message spread by the official mascot Ettie<\/em> and embodied by the official emblem. Ettie\u2019s name comes from the French word for star, \u00e9toile<\/em> and links the passing on of the bright star from Footix, the brother mascot from the 1998 FIFA Men\u2019s World Cup. The message is that:<\/p>\n

\u201cHer enthusiasm for women\u2019s football is contagious and she hopes to radiate her sense of fair play and passion for the game around the world and to inspire national pride in France as the host country for the competition.\u201d<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Media coverage<\/strong><\/p>\n

With the increasing popularity of women\u2019s football in the UK, there is exciting anticipation that the women\u2019s world cup is set to break new viewing records with the hope that a billion people<\/a> will tune in.\u00a0 BBC have exclusive broadcasting rights for this year\u2019s WWC and will be showing the games on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four, and the BBC Red Button and website. All the of the England games will be shown on BBC One and the schedule is available here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Scotland <\/strong><\/p>\n

This year the FIFA WWC welcomes four newcomers to the tournament: Scotland, South Africa, Jamaica, and Chile. Scotland are ranked 20th<\/sup> in the world and their opening game is set to be an exciting one as they will be playing England in Nice on 9th<\/sup> June. This is the second major tournament that Scotland have qualified for after qualifying for Euro 2017. However, their new manager, Shelley Kerr, has a squad filled with Women\u2019s Super League players and if they can avoid injuries \u201cScotland could be a surprise package in France\u201d (Suzanne Wrack, 2019<\/a>). Whilst Kim Little is Scotland\u2019s star player, look out for the duo \u201cLime\u201d and \u201cSoda\u201d on the team as well! Given this and their 1-0 defeat over Brazil (ranked 10th<\/sup>), England should not underestimate them.<\/p>\n