Betina Petit-Frere of Haiti controls the ball in opposition to Alessia Russo of England in the course of the groups’ opening sport on the Women’s World Cup in Brisbane, Australia on July 22, 2023. Haiti is considered one of eight newcomers on the event this yr.

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Betina Petit-Frere of Haiti controls the ball in opposition to Alessia Russo of England in the course of the groups’ opening sport on the Women’s World Cup in Brisbane, Australia on July 22, 2023. Haiti is considered one of eight newcomers on the event this yr.

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Not lengthy after FIFA president Gianni Infantino introduced the 2023 Women’s World Cup would increase from 24 groups to 32, the murmurs started.

Would the addition of one other eight international locations result in a lower-quality of play?

The WWC is the premier girls’s soccer event and held each 4 years. It started in 1991 with 12 international locations. Starting with the 1999 tourney, FIFA allowed 16 groups to take part – a quantity it saved in place for the following 4 tournaments. It elevated it to 24 international locations on the 2015 WWC and bumped it as much as 32 at this yr’s event in Australia and New Zealand.

When Infantino announced this latest increase in 2019, he celebrated what it will imply to soccer globally. “From now on, dozens more member associations will organize their women’s football program knowing they have a realistic chance of qualifying,” mentioned Infantino.

At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, eight international locations are making their debuts: the Philippines, Ireland, Zambia, Haiti, Vietnam, Portugal, Panama and Morocco. Six have already performed matches. But none have received. In reality, the newcomers have not scored a single aim.

So have been the naysayers proper? Not precisely.

Louise Quinn (#4) of Ireland and Alanna Kennedy (#14) of Australia battle for the ball in the course of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on July 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. It’s Ireland’s first look at a WWC.

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Louise Quinn (#4) of Ireland and Alanna Kennedy (#14) of Australia battle for the ball in the course of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on July 20, 2023 in Sydney, Australia. It’s Ireland’s first look at a WWC.

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On Saturday, Haiti, ranked number 53 on this planet, took on fourth-ranked England, the reigning European champions. On paper, England was purported to win and win simply. But it wasn’t really easy. Haiti annoyed the Lionesses all sport and stymied their vaunted offense – and created many scoring possibilities of their very own.

As the match progressed, Fox Sports commentator John Strong famous Haiti’s scrappy play. “The accusation is you’ll let teams into the World Cup that don’t belong here. Has Haiti shown they belong [here]?” he requested his fellow commentator Kyndra de St. Aubin.

She answered that “100%” Haiti belongs within the event. “It’s about the ability, the skill level on the ball. You can see some of the composure with some of the touches, the cleanliness, the movement. I think you see a whole lot of things from Haiti that they’re going to be incredibly proud of their performance here,” mentioned de St. Aubin. England received 1-0.

Ramona Bachmann of Switzerland (white) challenges Hali Long of the Philippines (blue) for the ball in the course of the Women’s World Cup match in Dunedin, New Zealand on July 21, 2023.

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Ramona Bachmann of Switzerland (white) challenges Hali Long of the Philippines (blue) for the ball in the course of the Women’s World Cup match in Dunedin, New Zealand on July 21, 2023.

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Other newcomers have additionally had shut contests at this Women’s World Cup to date. Ireland misplaced to Australia 1-0. The Netherlands beat Portugal 1-0. Switzerland defeated the Philippines 2-0 and Vietnam only allowed three goals to the two-time defending champion and top-ranked U.S.A. In its opener on the 2019 WWC, the U.S. throttled Thailand 13-0.

At the 2019 event, 4 international locations made their debut: Chile, Jamaica, South Africa and Scotland. None of them superior out of group play. But that have probably helped two make it again this yr: South Africa and Jamaica. South Africa misplaced all three of its video games 4 years in the past. But returns because the African champions.

In 2015, two international locations debuted: Switzerland and Spain. And each of these are competing this yr. Spain is now ranked sixth in the world rankings.

As the ladies’s sport continues to develop, FIFA president Infantino says soccer’s governing physique has the duty to introduce the game to extra audiences each globally and regionally.

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup is the most powerful trigger for the professionalization of the women’s game, but it comes but once every four years and is only the top of a much greater pyramid,” Infantino mentioned.

Don’t be shocked if future competitions of the Women’s World Cup could have much more groups.

Vietnam’s midfielder Thi Tuyet Dung Nguyen (#7) fights for the ball with USA ahead Trinity Rodman (#20) in the course of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on July 22, 2023. The USA defeated newcomer Vietnam 3-0.

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Vietnam’s midfielder Thi Tuyet Dung Nguyen (#7) fights for the ball with USA ahead Trinity Rodman (#20) in the course of the 2023 Women’s World Cup on July 22, 2023. The USA defeated newcomer Vietnam 3-0.

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