FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 countdown: Japan the latest country with broadcast issues

The latest shock in the broadcast rights drama is the failure of Japanese public and private broadcasters to reach an agreement for the tournament which will be shown in close to 160 territories. Along with the Matildas, Japan, the 2011 Champions, are seen as the best hope to break the US and European challenge.

‘Japan has become synonymous with women’s footballing excellence. They were FIFA Women’s World Cup winners in 2011 and runners-up four years later. This is why it saddens me, with less than two months to go to the start of the tournament, there is currently no broadcaster in Japan,” said FIFA’s chief business officer, Romy Gai.

“Japanese supporters are used to having to watch top level football action throughout the night. However, with the tournament taking place in Australia and New Zealand, fans in Japan will have the chance to watch the world’s greatest players in an excellent broadcast window.

WOMEN’S WORLD CUP TROPHY BOUND FOR AUSTRALIA

The FIFA Women’s World Cup trophy will be on Australian shores soon after making its last stop in Lisbon, Portugal this week.

It has been a long journey for the coveted trophy – visiting all 32 nations ahead.

FIFA Secretary-general Fatma Samoura said: “We are especially excited to be here in the home of the Portuguese women’s national team, who have qualified for the first time for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. I’m looking forward to seeing what Portugal can bring to the competition with other debutants Haiti, Republic of Ireland, Morocco, Panama, Philippines, Vietnam and Zambia.”

ACL STUDY

FIFA is researching to find a solution to the increasing number of top women’s footballers struck down by ACL injuries.

In just more than a year 25 elite female footballers have been struck down by the most feared three-letter acronym in sport – ACL.

Among those injured were Matildas’ stars Ellie Carpenter and Kyah Simon.

International stars Leah Williamson, Beth Mead, Vivianne Miedema and Laura Weinroither are all in doubt for the FIFA Women’s World Cup after tearing their ACLs this WSL season.

England’s Euro winner Mead publicly called for more research into why women are most susceptible to the injury, which can take up to 12 months to recover from.

FIFA this week confirmed it was conducting its own research into the issue but a solution won’t be simple.

The research project started in 2021, is part of FIFA’s female player health and performance study, is being carried out at Western Sydney University and Irish sports analytics company Orreco.

LOOKING AHEAD

Four member associations have officially lodged expressions of interest to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 207.

Belgium, Netherlands and Germany have submitted a joint application, along with Brazil, South Africa and a joint bid from the USA and Mexico.

Final bidding documents are due in early December.

KERR EYES MORE SUCCESS

Australians will most likely be waking to photos of Sam Kerr holding yet another trophy after helping Chelsea claim their fourth-straight Women’s Super League title.

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Chelsea just had to get a win over bottom-placed Reading to secure the crown – the club’s second major piece of silverware for the season after winning the FA Cup earlier this month.

A good performance is sure to be a confidence boost for Kerr as she heads into camp with the Matildas for the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

Matildas have one match left before the tournament starts with a World Cup send off match against France on July 14.