FIFA WWC'23 3 on 3: Episode 3

Instead of being game specific, this edition’s three things are stuff I’ve seen off the field - that also perhaps play in what we see on the field.

1. That Investment Factor

The state of underfunding in women’s football is not something that is new, and yet, still unresolved. There’s the league level funding discrepancies, and then there’s the national team’s issues with their FAs. I for one would love to see the budgeted investments by each FA into their men’s vs women’s teams, and then map that on to their relative success in competitions.

But having said that, even between countries we know that there is a massive discrepancy in footballing infrastructure, which then subsequently translate into the resources made available not just for training, but nutrition, recovery, sports science and the like.

Which is why the success of the smaller teams, with arguably much more limited budgets, is inspiring to see. Countries like Zambia, Haiti, Jamaica, the Philippines and Vietnam have not gone Down Under to be pushed over, and despite what the scoreline tell us, these teams have entertained and show gumption. The fact that Nigeria beat Australia 3-2 would not have shocked many who have followed the game over the years, but it does leave me with a what if.

What if these teams were getting funding and investment comparable to the top women’s teams in the world? No, we’re not talking about getting anything comparable to the men’s side, don’t be silly - when would that ever happen? But if they had the investment of the top women’s footballing nations - surely, these teams could be absolute powerhouses.

2. That Anterior Cruciate Ligament..

It almost doesn’t seem befitting, in a terribly sad way, that an observation of this World Cup doesn’t bring up the dreaded three-letter acronym: ACL. As I write we are waiting to hear news of Keira Walsh’s injury as her knee buckled under her in England’s game against Denmark, her chilling mouthing of the words ‘I’ve done my knee’ broadcasted worldwide.

The championship is already bereft of its superstars going into the tournament. Viv Miedema (NL), Beth Mead, Leah Williamson (ENG), Christen Press, Cat Macario (USA), Janine Beckie (CAN), Delphine Cascarino, Marie-Antoinette Katoto (FRA) — the list of players missing due to an ACL tear alone could fill an All-Star XI. Since the tournament started, Haiti’s Jennyfer Limage ruptured her meniscus and ACL — and now we wait on Walsh.

As Press, and also Williamson, have intimated in a number of interviews, if this were happening in the men’s game, the uproar would be massive. But it isn’t happening there because research about ACLs and proper resources and sport science related to recovery are adequately channeled that way. In the women’s game, extrapolating research findings from the men’s team is not good enough: women have different bodies, different physiques and specific research is needed.

While this is already out there to some extent, the question is how much of this is then being applied within the women’s game? How many sports scientist are incorporating the findings in their training and nutrition plans? How many clubs and federations actually have dedicated the resources for this towards their women’s team, instead of just ‘borrowing’ from the men’s?

3. That German Koala

My bet for the winners of this World Cup is Germany. I said this before the tournament started and it looks like they have made a statement in their gameplay to that very effect.

This was based on the lack of disruption that the team has had leading up to the World Cup. I evaluated this on the basis of two criteria: no major injuries rocking the game plan (USA, England) and no dispute with the coaching team or federation (Spain, France).

But over the past three days, I have discovered a magical element that may well propel Germany into the final and beyond: Waru the Koala. Crocheted by forward Klara Buhl, Waru the Koala is the Germany mascot and they’ve made many an appearance on the pitch and on the bench with the players. Clad in the German colours, I sit here wondering whether Waru will be there on August 21, on the right podium.

There’s whole backstory to Waru which I won’t bore you with, but instead let you read that here courtesy of the Guardian.

Game to Watch:

Perhaps a more predictable pick this time: a replay of the 2019 World Cup finalists at the group stage: USA vs Netherlands. A proper game of two halves, a lesson in using width (or the lack of it), and some entertaining drama from two Olympique Lyon teammates playing for different sides.

As usual, FIFA+ is your go to if you’re in Malaysia and wanting to catch some of this amazing World Cup action.

Idlan Zakaria