Seven Network wins free-to-air rights for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

Mel McLaughlin says it’s a “dream come true” to be part of the Seven Network’s FIFA Women’s World Cup coverage.

Just days after FIFA president Gianni Infantino slammed broadcasters for lowball offers to screen next year’s Women’s World Cup, the Seven Network has announced its acquisition of the Australian free-to-air rights for the tournament.

Every Matildas match will be among the 15 games during the July 20-August 20 tournament which will be broadcast live and free on Seven and 7plus, and also be made available to stream on-demand via 7plus.

Seven will also broadcast a daily highlights program during the tournament, which is being co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

Seven’s broadcast team will feature renowned sport presenter and huge football fan Mel McLaughlin, who said it was a “dream come true” to be part of the coverage.

“I’m so excited,” she said.

“We know it’s the biggest women’s sporting event in the world, and I can’t think of anything bigger (in Australia) since the (2000 Sydney) Olympics and I don’t think that’s overselling it.”

Sport presenter Mel McLaughlin will be part of the Seven Network’s FIFA Women’s World Cup coverage. Picture: Toby Zerna

McLaughlin was among the presenters at the tournament draw last Saturday night in New Zealand, where Infantino hit out at some broadcasters for offering at least “100 times less” than what had been bid to screen the men’s World Cup.

“I don’t want to mention them, but they know who they are,” he said.

McLaughlin said Infantino had made a “solid point”.

“We know that a billion people watched the women’s World Cup in France (in 2019) and stupid numbers went through the turnstiles in France as well, and ticket sales (for next year’s women’s World Cup) are attracting already now four times that of France,” she said.

“We know how many people are going to watch, so maybe there’s something to that.”

McLaughlin tipped a “ferocious” tournament and predicted the Sam Kerr-led Matildas to rise to the occasion on home soil.

“With home-ground advantage, these players are going to lift,” she said.

“It might shock some people, but I don’t think it will shock everyone if the Matildas had plenty of success during the World Cup as well.

“Its been coming for a while, but they’ve really exploded. They’re just a great team (and) a champion team, so we’re looking forward to them showing that.”

The Australian broadcasting rights for the 64-game tournament have been sub-licensed by Optus.

Seven’s head of network for sport, Lewis Martin, said: “We are looking forward to working with Optus Sport, FIFA and Australia’s wonderful athletes to present a fantastic competition in 2023.

“We saw during Seven’s award-winning Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games coverage that the

Matildas are one of the most-loved sporting teams in the country, and we are absolutely

thrilled to have the opportunity to bring our rich story-telling capabilities to this incredible

team of athletes.”