Yahoo Sport 
Why the Women’s World Cup in France can build on the hype generated from Russia 2018
It was the day the drinking finally subsided, the beginning of the end of the long hot summer full of footballing glory, and no one really knew what day it was – other than of course how many days it was until an England game. It was the day too, that France won their second World Cup.
As we came to terms with the fact that football indeed hadn’t come home, we started marking down the days until the Qatar World Cup in 2022. It’s not just the usual four-year wait, but an extra six months additional time as well, after it was announced Qatar would indeed be played in the winter. But women’s football fans around the globe had started their own countdown, until the Women’s World Cup less than a year away in France.
Naturally, it’s a sad reality that many of the fans sat in pubs and open air venues dancing in delight at Gareth Southgate’s players probably don’t care very much about women’s football, but the FA that played a big part in us all falling back in love with the men’s national team, have even higher hopes for the women.
Fran Kirby is one of England's best players (Getty)
Since Phil Neville took over from the disgraced Mark Sampson on 23rd January this year, a whole new audience has been welcomed into the women’s game, as have his former club Manchester United, being added to the Women’s Championship, the second tier of English football. There are clear long-term benefits to their addition, but whether fans of Sunderland, Doncaster Rovers Belles and Sheffield FC – who have ousted from the league to make room – may not necessarily agree.
The Lionesses have not yet qualified for the tournament, with a plucky Welsh side going above and beyond expectations in their group (sound familiar?), but it’s likely they will still be in France given they are the fourth-ranked side in the world, and as high as second a couple of months ago.
Ahead of the men’s World Cup the lack of world-class talent in Southgate’s squad was frequently highlighted, but Neville’s side has plenty of that. There’s the talent of Lucy Bronze, widely regarded as the best right back in the world, and Fran Kirby, described as ‘Mini Messi’, mixed with experienced heads of Steph Houghton and Jill Scott playing at Manchester City. They are just a few of the stars throughout England’s squad that could genuinely have a huge impact in France.
Toni Duggan is another of England's stars (Getty)
France went home with the men’s World Cup to jubilant scenes on the Champs Elysees, and the fact that it’s a country just across the channel from England makes it one without the arduous trek like so many had to make to Russia. Many spent thousands of pounds to make trips to Moscow and beyond, but with less interest in the women’s game and comparatively cheaper tickets and hotels, the cost will be significantly cheaper for travelling fans.
France is a country that deeply cares about their women’s teams, too. Olympique Lyonnais Feminin are arguably the best team in Europe, driving the hosts to be one of the favourites to lift the trophy.
Read more
Neville wants England Women to emulate Ferguson's United greats
This summer we fell back in love with international football. But ultimately England were a couple of players short of being the very best, and Neville’s side are significantly closer to the finished article.
In Canada 2015, England fans watched from home in the early hours of the morning, devastated as their side lost their semi-final to a 92nd-minute own goal. Since then, viewing figures have increased every season, along with the professionalism of the game.
On 7th June 2019, the women’s World Cup will begin, and over the course of 52 matches England will have a second chance to make sure football is coming home.
