These 10 numbers will help you make sense of the Women’s World Cup. (That’s soccer by the way.)
1991
The year of the first Women’s World Cup. Held every four years, that means the 2023 edition was the ninth one.
12
The number of teams in the inaugural event, hosted by China.
32
The number of teams—originating from six different qualifying regions—in the 2023 event. Split into eight groups of four, the top two teams from each group advanced to a 16-team single elimination tournament that decided the champion (Spain).
5
The number of countries that have won a Women’s World Cup—the US (4), Germany (2), Japan (1), Norway (1), and Spain (1).
17
The number of World Cup goals scored by the Brazilian Marta, the most of any participant. Tied for number two with 14 is Abby Wambach, a native of none other than Rochester, NY.
31 million
The combined population of Australia and New Zealand, the two host countries in 2023. In total, nine cities (ten venues) hosted games, which took place anywhere from 12 to 16 hours ahead of Eastern Daylight Time.
$110 million
The total prize money available for distribution—courtesy FIFA, soccer’s governing body—at the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Compare that to the $440 million available at the 2022 men’s tournament. Of course, this discrepancy is irrelevant to Americans, who have agreed that all World Cup prize money will be shared equally between men and women regardless of the tournament of origin.
1.9 million
The total attendance at the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the largest figure thus far. On the men’s side, the 1994 event hosted by the US still boasts the largest total attendance of 3.5 million.
26.7 million
The number of Americans who tuned in to watch the 2015 Women’s World Cup final between the US and Japan. That had been the most-watched soccer match in US history until the 2022 Men’s World Cup final between Argentina and France.
$506,665
The amount broadcaster FOX received for each 30-second advertisement during its coverage of the 2019 final between the US and the Netherlands. Not exactly Super Bowl material (around $7 million per 30-second ad), but nothing to sneeze at.
4 Responses
Good collection of facts. Let us hope that US wins the world cup in 2023.
Thank you. Yes, it would be great if the US can win their third in a row (and fifth overall)!
looking at the tittle of the blog, coming from Rochester, NY , I thought you are joining women’s lib. movement.
Haha. We’ll call it public relations.