After a pandemic-induced end to last season, women's soccer in England seems reborn with the arrival of World Cup-winning Americans, a slew of Australians and robust enthusiasm about the league's potential. Women's teams could only watch as the Premier League restarted and finished its season following a coronavirus stoppage. Their six-month wait is nearly over, and optimism abounds in the Womens Super League. The Football Association, which runs the WSL, says the twin bill is designed to boost visibility of the womens game. Before the pandemic, attendance was rising, likely boosted by England reaching back-to-back Womens World Cup semifinals.

The Sydney Opera House is illuminated in support of Australia and New Zealand's joint bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023, in Sydney, Thursday, June 25, 2020. Australia and New Zealand will co-host the Women's World Cup in 2023, with the following edition possibly set to take place just two years later. The potential audience of more than 1 billion, according to FIFA, would outstrip the 2011 Rugby World Cup or the 2015 Cricket World Cup it co-hosted with Australia. New Zealand previously has hosted the under-17 womens World Cup and the under-20 mens tournament and had hoped, after the success of those events, to make a solo bid for the womens World Cup. We are looking forward to delivering the best ever FIFA Womens World Cup in both nations, one that will elevate the womens game and inspire women and girls around the world.Riley said she relished the chance to play her fifth World Cup in her homeland.