2023 Women’s World Cup: Matildas star Ellie Carpenter can’t wait for world to come to Australia
Matildas young gun Ellie Carpenter went through the whole range of emotions when the 2023 World Cup host was announced on Friday. But now the dust has settled, she’s thinking of one thing only.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
There’s only one thing that could possibly top the feeling we all had when the announcement was made that we are going to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
And that’s winning the trophy on home soil.
I haven’t thought about it that much yet, and I don’t plan to because there’s still so much hard work ahead, but obviously it has crossed my mind.
Watch European Football with beIN SPORTS and ESPN on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly
It’s crazy to think what it would be like because it would be a dream come true, but I really believe it’s reachable because that extra buzz from playing at home is going to be a big advantage.
It has already given everyone in the Matildas extra motivation because everyone wants to be involved in a World Cup in our backyard.
I don’t normally get nervous but I have to admit I did before the announcement.
It was weird because I had been really calm in the days leading up to it. It just hit me with about five minutes to go because there was so much suspense.
I freaked out for a second when FIFA President Gianni Infantino said “the winning country instead of the winning countries”, but when he said Australia and New Zealand, it was just the most amazing feeling.
MORE WORLD CUP NEWS
Bring on 2023! Matildas can’t wait to welcome the world
Alliances, deceit and the boss: How joint bid gor over the line
The Matildas have a group chat on WhatsApp and it just went crazy. There were like 50 messages in the space of a second. It was so cool and it gives me goosebumps still thinking about it.
I really believe this is going to be a turning point for women’s football in Australia because it’s going to inspire so many people.
I was only about eight or nine years old when I first watched the Matildas, and I said to myself that I want to be on that field one day, so for the next generation of kids to see us in a World Cup, that’s going to be so sick.
For the players, it’s also going to be an amazing chance to really thank all the people who have helped us along the way.
Most of our games are abroad so our families, friends and supporters have had to fork out tens of thousands of dollars to watch us in major tournaments. This is going to be a way to thank them for all the sacrifices they have made.
My own parents moved from Cowra when I was young to help me chase my dream and the last week has made me think about how much they have done.
On Wednesday, I’m leaving for France to play for Olympique Lyonnais, thanks to my agent Buddy who did all the behind the scenes work and knows it’s a good strategy ahead of the 2023 World Cup.
I need to brush up on my French but I think the experience of playing in Europe is only going to help sharpen my game and help the Matildas when the World Cup comes to Australia. I can’t wait.
Ellie Carpenter has played as a Matildas defender since 2016