Screams rise as a crowd gathers, the street filled with applause and the blare of horns. Salma Paralluelo drives the ball into the net, and Olga Carmona’s goal seals a moment that echoes through the World Cup final. It marked a turning point for the sport, finally earning a priority place in women’s football. The stadiums overflowed across 61 matches, with a total attendance of 1,777,239 fans.
Despite early skepticism about the event, the World Cup exceeded every expectation in every dimension. The football on display was exceptional, media coverage reached unprecedented heights, and brands everywhere showcased their logos on screens around the world. The tournament delivered a show that resonated with fans at venues and in homes, proving that the World Cup could be a compelling, unifying spectacle.
Records fell day after day, lifting visibility and performance on the field. Countries from every continent wrote history, with all six confederations recording at least one victory for the first time. New Zealand became the first Oceania team to win a World Cup match, while teams such as the Philippines, Zambia, Portugal, Jamaica, South Africa and Morocco celebrated their first wins. Morocco and Jamaica, two rookies, advanced from the group stage, highlighting a historic milestone for first-timers.
“One day you will understand what this means for Spanish football history.” The momentum was captured in social posts and broadcasts as fans echoed the sentiment across the globe.
The dominance of the United States was broken after a surprising early exit, joining Brazil and Germany in exiting sooner than expected. Spain emerged as a rising power, with Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmatí leading a squad determined to push football forward and scribble new chapters on their jerseys.
Most watched World Cup in history
The World Cup drew audiences like never before, attracting not only local fans but supporters who traveled long distances to back their teams. The numbers speak plainly: an average attendance of 25,476 across 48 games in the initial phase, a 29% rise from the 2019 edition. The largest-ever attendance for a football match in Zealand was reached twice, first during the opening game and again for the Portugal versus USA match, watched by 42,958 people. New Zealand’s first match against Ireland drew 75,784 spectators, a landmark for women’s soccer attendance.
Progress was evident: after ten matches at France 2019, crowds over 25,000 were the norm this time, with 33 matches already surpassing that threshold. VIP service sales rose 27% compared with the last edition and surged 534% versus Canada 2015. To date, 1,777,239 fans had attended 61 matches, with an average of 29,135 per game and three games remaining. When the tournament ends, even higher totals are expected as the third-place match and the final add to the tally. [citation: FIFA World Cup organizers]
Spanish fans were particularly visible, sharing moments from the semi-finals and celebrating a breakthrough for their national team. The event received wide broadcast distribution and the rise of audiovisual rights investments, with FIFA’s platform offering access to all games in multiple languages. Fans could watch for free and with commentary in more than five languages, broadening the sport’s appeal globally. Audience figures for the first 15 days surpassed the entire France 2019 event, with 22 million unique users and an average of 2.4 million daily visitors across World Cup channels. A standout moment occurred in China, where 53.9 million viewers tuned in to a group-stage match between England and another opponent, the largest single-game audience on record. [citation: FIFA broadcast data]
transforming role
Beyond the numbers, this World Cup holds a transformative potential that may be underestimated. Understanding the Spanish team, the league, and the clubs is crucial. If Spain reaches the final and achieves success, it will reflect a broader shift in how women’s football is perceived and supported. The real impact on the Spanish league may be hard to predict, but the signal is clear: significant progress is possible when a breakthrough is achieved in major competition. A senior executive in sports consulting notes that these achievements enable a qualitative leap in the sport’s profile. [citation: SPSG Consulting]
Experts believe that typical attendance for national European competitions sits around 2,000 to 3,000 spectators, but this World Cup has already shown capacity to draw far larger crowds. The Camp Nou’s attendance records, once a distant dream, now reflect the new normal—greater reach for women’s football. The event has connected more people to the sport and created a broader, more professional fan base. The objective is not merely occasional success; the link between performance and sustained engagement is becoming clearer, and brands are watching closely to see how sponsorships and partnerships evolve. [citation: industry analysts]
Brands that have invested in women’s sports, especially football, are likely to enjoy stronger returns from the Australia–New Zealand edition. The narrative now includes growing personal brands for players, offering greater visibility to the public. The sports world is watching as these athletes gain recognition beyond the pitch, an effect that could influence endorsements and corporate partnerships for years to come. [citation: sponsorship reports]
With only a few days left in the event, anticipation remains high. When the tournament concludes, Spain will advance to the final for the first time, and the discourse around women’s football will shift from debate to clear evidence of growing popularity and legitimacy. The momentum has driven fans to demand higher investment and stronger commitment to the sport from sponsors, broadcasters, and football authorities alike. [citation: event timeline]