Chloé Lagadou with AFP / Photo credit: SAEED KHAN / AFP
Players from New Zealand and Norway kicked off a record-breaking World Cup on Thursday in Auckland, hours after the “shock” of a fatal shooting in the New Zealand city.
World Premier with 32 teams
First World Cup with 32 teams, first World Cup in the southern hemisphere, first World Cup co-organized by two countries: the 736 players called up for this World Cup hope to take their discipline to a new level, four years after the successful edition in France. Europe 1 went to meet teenage girls on internship at the French Federation of Football Academy where young women train in Clairefontaine. One thing is certain: they are ready to support the Blue team.
“People don’t wait for the Women’s World Cup like they wait for the Men’s World Cup”
Crossovers, heels… Carmen, Hélène and Séréna train in front of the goals and impatiently await the start of the Women’s World Cup. “It’s a World Cup, it’s a big event. I really want to watch the matches of all the teams”, “I think that France has every chance of being able to win this World Cup”, they testify at the microphone of Europe 1.
The only downside is the fear that the enthusiasm of the French will not be there this year to support the Les Bleues team. “The Women’s World Cup, there are plenty of people who are not aware of where it is taking place, which team there will be… It’s not the same at all, people don’t wait for the Women’s World Cup as they wait for the Men’s World Cup. Me, I find it a shame because it’s not as spectacular, as physical, but it’s still a beautiful game, “regrets one of them.
“It’s quite impressive to see matches like this”
But the young players do not lose hope. They are convinced that women’s football has not finished gaining ground. “There has been a huge evolution between the beginning and now, that is to say that there are real World Cups which are recognized by FIFA. It is good for the development of women’s football.”
“If France wins, I think a lot of young girls will sign up because it’s still quite impressive to see matches like that,” said a young footballer. In the meantime, the first match of the French women’s team will take place on Sunday at noon against Jamaica.