Matildas on track to become Australia’s third most popular national team on back of FIFA Women’s World Cup

The Matildas are on track to overtake the Kangaroos as Australia’s third most popular sporting team even before the first game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off next month.

The Matildas are on track to overtake the Kangaroos as Australia’s third most popular sporting team even before the first game of the FIFA Women’s World Cup kicks off next month.

The female soccer squad has already overtaken the male Wallabies in the hearts of Aussie sports fans and now only trail the Socceroos and, in first place, the national cricket team the Baggy Greens.

More than 4000 football fans showed their support on Sunday by marching across the Sydney Harbour Bridge as part of FIFA’s Unity Celebration to mark 25 days until kick off.

“We find ourselves in what I can only describe as a golden era for Australian football,” Football Australia chief executive James Johnson said.

“Look at the Matildas. Currently ranked Number 10 in the world, and soon to be the third most popular national team in Australia,” he said. “They have become one of Australia‘s most recognisable sporting brands, winning seven of their last eight matches.”

Ella Tonkin, Sarah Hunter, Maia Jackman Football Ferns alumni, Julie Dolan Matildas alumni, Naomi Chinnama and Bryleeh Henry of the Matildas pose during the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 Sydney Harbour Bridge Unity Celebration. Picture: Mark Metcalfe - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images

He said the last Brand Health Index in December had the Matildas close to overtaking the Kangaroos in popularity among Australians with football already the favourite sport among almost one third of 14 to 24 year old men and top among women of the same age.

Mr Johnson said those figures would only improve with the Women’s World Cup being played at home in Australia and New Zealand. Ticket sales to live games have already topped one million and the global television audience is expected to hit two billion people.

Sam Kerr celebrates after scoring during the Women's International Friendly match between England and Australia in England. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

NSW Tourism Minister John Graham joined Mr Johnson on the bridge and said hosting the most attended women’s sporting event in history was a “huge moment” for Sydney and Australia.

“Australian football fans are a tough crowd used to getting up at three and four so to have this in our Timezone is going to be big,” he said.

Sydney will host 11 matches during the cup including the final at Stadium Australia on August 20.

Head of the FIFA Women’s World Cup Rhiannon Martin said being under a month away from the Matildas starting their Cup run against the Republic of Ireland at Stadium Australia “is quite nerve wracking.

“The stadiums are in a really great state of readiness. The pitches are looking great,” she said. “We can look forward to some fantastic football.”

The highest capped Matilda and women’s football great Julie Dolan said the women‘s’ game has gone “from zero to warp speed” and that was reflected by the popularity among fans.

“We’ve gone from baking cakes to get funds to go to tournaments and now we’ve sold over a million tickets and so if that’s not exponential growth, nothing is,” she said.