Introduction: Critical Perspectives on the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup: Events, Issues, Controversies

In the opening chapter of this collection, the book’s editors summarise the events and issues of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup (2023 FWWC). The 2023 FWWC shattered attendance and viewership records, awarded the highest prize money ever for a women’s international sports tournament, crowned a new champion, and showcased inspiring underdog stories. Beyond the celebratory discourses and historic achievements, however, a series of controversies and debates during the event shed light on the inherent sexism, gender inequalities, and biased media framings that remain pervasive in the women’s game. Against this backdrop, this introductory chapter examines some of the key issues that arose during and after the 2023 FWWC. This chapter also foregrounds and lays out how the 20 chapters from a range of international and disciplinary contributors are divided into four compelling subsections: coverage of the World Cup, experiences of the World Cup, navigating the World Cup, and legacies of the World Cup. This introduction then explains how each section delves into different aspects of the tournament, offering critical analyses on areas such as the emotions and experiences of attendees, the challenges and controversies that emerged during the tournament, and the lasting impact of the event on women’s football.