FIFA Women's World Cup: Matildas rewarded with huge financial support post dream run in WC

Sweden and Australia, both of whom lost in the semi-finals, will meet for third place in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Sweden's tournament run ended in the semi-finals with a loss to Spain. But England has advanced into the finals by eliminating one of the co-hosts of the tournament. Both losing teams, though, have excellent chances of finishing 3rd in the tournament.

3 things you need to know 

• Australia Women's Team will face Sweden on Saturday, August 19, 2023, for the 3rd place match 
• England will face Spain on Sunday, August 20, 2023, for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 final 
• The final of the tournament will be played in the Stadium Australia

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Australia's PM impressed by the Women’s team's run in the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 

For the 7️⃣th and final time this tournament 📸#Matildas #FIFAWWC #TIlitsDone pic.twitter.com/A1rjvDCa5u

— CommBank Matildas (@TheMatildas) August 19, 2023

After the Australia Women's Team's historic run to the Women's World Cup semi-finals, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese pledged $200 million ($128 million) to the development of women's sports. Earlier this week, the Matildas lost 3-1 against England, effectively eliminating any hopes they had of winning the tournament and earning a spot in the finals versus Sweden in Brisbane.

While Australia has traditionally favoured Australian Rules Football and Rugby League, this setback has created a passionate need for further support in women's football inside Australia. The modernization of facilities and equipment specifically designed for women and girls in sports is something Prime Minister Albanese has confirmed the allocated funds will help bring about. The Matildas' dominant performance at the FIFA Women's World Cup highlighted the need for significant investment in football, prompting this allocation.

Albanese has committed to working towards making important events, such as the World Cup semi-finals, available for free viewing as part of her effort to increase the audience for women's sporting events. Discontent with the widespread practice of putting the vast majority of World Cup matches behind paywalls inspired this idea.

Also Read: Ex-defender Kate Markgraf steps down as US Soccer’s women’s general manager

What did Anthony Albanese say in order to develop the Australia Women's Team?

During the media interaction, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said: 

The Matildas have given us a moment of national inspiration; this is about seizing that opportunity for the next generation, investing in community sporting facilities for women and girls around Australia. 

We want women and girls everywhere in Australia to have the facilities and the support to choose a sport they love.

The government spent $44 million organizing the prestigious championship and allocated an additional A$40 million to support grassroots programs and the Matildas' new training facility in Melbourne. However, after losing 3-1 against England, team captain Sam Kerr pushed for increased funding. Sam Kerr's appeal hoped to make the FIFA Women's World Cup more than just a one-time boost of excitement for women's football in Australia.