In Forecasting interview with @samashoo_tv, FIFA President Gianni Infantino gushes about the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and women’s football.
At the end of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, Forecasting reporter Sam Ashoo took stock with FIFA President Gianni Infantino in Sydney.
In an exclusive interview with Forecasting, Infantino is delighted with the atmosphere down under and sees an excellent future for women’s football worldwide – not least in view of the two billion people who watched the games on television.
What is Infantino’s assessment after the World Cup?
Gianni Infantino goes into raptures: “I am very happy, very proud. This FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 was simply the best, the best FIFA Women’s World Cup ever. Great atmosphere: full stadiums, on the streets, everywhere. People are happy, joyful. Australia and New Zealand were really fantastic, fantastic hosts in their home country. 2 billion TV viewers, in the stadiums – 2 million spectators. Many, many records were broken. Surprises, results we could not have expected. Eight newcomers, one new world champion. I mean, what more could you want? “
What legacy will the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand leave behind?
Infantino says: “I think this FIFA Women’s World Cup has really changed society, especially “down under”, in Australia and New Zealand. That’s what everyone here tells me. Even around the world, people now see women’s football with completely different eyes, because for many it was maybe the first time they’ve seen a game, and they see that it’s actually a great sport, with great athletes, great technical and tactical skills, great emotions and great passion. The same as with the men. “
“Everyone sees women’s football differently now.”
Gianni Infantino
FIFA President
“And with an extremely happy atmosphere. So I think everyone sees women’s football with completely different eyes now. And that’s exactly what we wanted to achieve. And from here we go to the next level.”
Will the women soon get as much attention as the men did in the past?
The future definitely belongs to women’s football.
Gainni Infantino
FIFA President
“Well, I think the future definitely belongs to women’s football. And that’s not just a PR thing, that’s not just something we say. It’s really the facts and the figures that show that. And, you know, half of the world’s population are women. So it’s obvious that this area is going to grow and flourish. Already, there are not many men’s competitions that can compete with the FIFA Women’s World Cup. So I think the way is clear for it to become as big as the men’s World Cup.
Sam Ashoo concludes: “So the FIFA President is optimistic about the future of women’s football. In this country, it seems that the tournament has changed attitudes towards the sport. The venue for the next World Cup has not yet been decided, but whoever the host will be, 2027 is expected to be even bigger than what we have seen here in Australia and New Zealand. “