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Rich countries do better in women’s football but understanding why matters, not just for the Matildas
TL;DR
Rich countries excel in women's football, raising expectations for teams like the Matildas. Understanding the reasons behind this disparity is crucial for the future of the sport.
Key points
- Rich countries excel in women's football.
- Matildas have high expectations after recent successes.
- US and Canada women's teams outperform their men.
- Understanding disparities in football performance is crucial.
In about a week’s time, the Socceroos will step up against Turkey, their first opponents in this year’s World Cup.
Winning their first match will be a big ask; progressing beyond the first round will be a bigger one.
No disrespect to the men, but if it were the Matildas, hopes would be higher.
After reaching the semi-finals in 2023 on home turf and almost going all the way at the Asian Cup, we have lofty expectations for the Tillies that go beyond their 15th ranking.
Fans of World Cup co-hosts US and Canada will know the feeling. Both have women’s football teams that conspicuously outshine their male counterparts.
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Tiya Banerjee, an economist at the e61 Institute, says these examples are not mere coincidences.
Banerjee in a new report has crunched the numbers and says it is in fact part of a broader pattern that would be familiar to enthusiasts of the beautiful game: that rich countries do better in women’s football.
Which raises the obvious question: why?
Maybe richer countries are just better at sport in general. This first theory falls over immediately.
If being rich by itself was enough to explain a nation’s sporting prowess, the women’s and men’s teams of wealthy countries would be equally successful.
“This means that at least part of their [wealthy countries’] advantage is specific to women’s football, not football in general,” Banerjee says.
Perhaps it’s because richer countries tend to be more progressive and so more supportive of women and girls playing sport, providing a bigger talent pool.
With a lack of data on female participation in sport, Banerjee used female labour force participation as a proxy to test the idea.
She found there was indeed a correlation between the share of women in the workforce and that country’s Fifa world ranking.
But further analysis showed that while gender norms played their part, they only had a “minor effect” on the relationship between a nation’s income and the ranking of its women’s national team.
Q&A
Why do rich countries perform better in women's football?
Rich countries often have more resources to invest in women's sports, including better training facilities, coaching, and support systems.
What are the expectations for the Matildas in upcoming tournaments?
After their strong performances, including reaching the semi-finals in 2023, expectations are high for the Matildas to advance further in future competitions.
How do the women's football teams of the US and Canada compare to their male counterparts?
The women's teams of the US and Canada consistently outperform their male counterparts, showcasing a significant disparity in success and support.
What impact does women's football success have on national pride?
Success in women's football can boost national pride and support for the sport, influencing investment and development in women's athletics.
