The 2023Women’sWorld Cup was another record-making, barrier breaking event, emphasising the accelerating growth of the women’s game. Off the pitch the numbers were astounding – almost two million fans attended the tournament, while average attendances were up by more than 9,000 compared to France 2019.
On the pitch there were remarkable moments too, with South Korea’s Casey Phair becoming the youngest-ever World Cup player (aged 16 years and 26 days), Morocco’s Nouhaila Benzina becoming the first player to wear a hijab at the World Cup, and Spain’s teenage sensation Salma Paralluelo becoming the first player to become a world champion at Under-17, Under-20 and senior level.
And that’s not to mention any of the action, goals or drama from the tournament itself. Congratulations to Spain for their deserved victory, while England’s Lionesses continue to be an inspiration, winning the hearts and minds of the country. Glenn Moore has the full story from Australia and New Zealand on page 54.
The key now for the women’s game is to continue building on this momentum. The new UEFA Nations League is up next on the international front, while the domestic club campaigns kick-off shortly too – be sure to read our season preview in October’s issue.
The men’s season, however, is already well underway, with the focus now switching to European competition, and this issue provides you with the ultimate guide to the 2023-24 UEFA Champions League campaign. Some may ask: why are there in-depth profiles of 38 teams? No, we haven’t jumped the gun a season early. The new “Swiss-system” format and increase in teams from32 to 36 will be from the 2024-25 campaign. Quite simply, this edition’s print deadline fell before the play-offs concluded, so you’ve got a bonus six teams to read about.
Before you get stuck into that, though, a mention for Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. Almost as if we’re living in a footballing time warp, the two icons continue to make headlines and win trophy after trophy – even when no longer in the European spotlight. Messi lit up the CONCACAF Leagues Cup following his move to Inter Miami, with his goal scoring exploits leading the club to its first-ever trophy and his 44th overall – more than any other player in history. Ronaldo, mean while, picked up his first silverware in Saudi Arabia – the 2023 Arab Club Champions Cup. Next on his agenda will be the Saudi Pro League and Asian Champions League. His team, Al Nassr, only scrapped through to the latter – a 4-2 play-off win over Shabab Al Ahli with a late equaliser and two goals in stoppage-time cementing their place – but who would bet against him adding the Asian continental crown to the five European titles already in his trophy cabinet?
You can read reviews of both of their triumphs, along with a coach profile on Xabi Alonso, our tribute to retiring Italy legend Gianluigi Buffon, all the latest summer transfers and much more.

Stephen Fishlock, Group Editor

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• Woman’s World USA – September 11, 2023
• T3 UK – September 2023