The FIFA Women's World Cup is better this year
Listen to the story (Irish accent)
The FIFA Women's World Cup started on Thursday. It's the ninth edition of the Women's World Cup, and is taking place in Australia and New Zealand.
Since the first tournament in 1991, women's soccer has become more popular. There are a total of 32 teams participating this year, which is the most ever. The teams will play in 10 stadiums in nine different cities, five cities in Australia and four in New Zealand.
For the first time, two countries, Australia and New Zealand, will co-host the Women's World Cup. Neither country has ever won the tournament, but both won their opening matches on Thursday.
Australia and New Zealand are in the southern hemisphere, which means it's winter there. The weather is expected to be cool and comfortable.
The prize money for the tournament has increased significantly. The total prize pot is $110 million, which is almost three times more than in 2019 and seven times more than in 2015. Every player in the tournament will receive compensation based on how far their team progresses. The winners of the World Cup will get $270,000 each.
This year's Women's World Cup is a historic event with more teams, better payments for players, and a chance for more countries to shine on the global stage.
Vocabulary20 words
- Edition
- a particular version; issue; volume; a specific type; one of a series of repeated events
- Take place
- happen; occur;
- Tournament
- a contest or competition with only one winner after many games/rounds
- Participate
- to do with, to take part in, to join, cooperate
- Stadium
- a large sports arena where games and events are held, usually with many seats for spectators
- Co-host
- To host something together with another person or organization
- Neither
- "not one nor the other" when talking about two things;
- Opening match
- The first match/game in a tournament
- Southern hemisphere
- the bottom half of the Earth, below the equator; the half of the Earth that is south of the equator
- Expect
- to think something will happen; forecast; predict; suppose
- Prize money
- the amount of money given as a reward for winning a competition or tournament
- Significantly
- In a noticeable or important way or manner
- Pot
- the total amount of money that is available to be won in a competition
- Compensation
- payment for work or service
- Based on
- inspired by; related to; derived from;
- Progress
- Movement, development or improvement towards a goal
- Historic
- Important or significant and will be remembered for a long time
- Payment
- the act of paying or being paid money; installment; premium
- Shine
- to give off or reflect light, like the sun shining in the sky; to perform very well
- Stage
- A raised platform or area where performances take place; e.g., a singer stands on a stage; a place to perform where many people can see the performer
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
The FIFA Women's World Cup started on Thursday. It's the ninth _____ of the Women's World Cup, and is taking place in Australia and New Zealand.
Since the _____ tournament in 1991, women's soccer has become more popular. There are a total of 32 teams _____ this year, which is the most ever. The teams will play in 10 stadiums in _____ different cities, five cities in Australia and four in New Zealand.
For the first time, two _____, Australia and New Zealand, will co-host the Women's World Cup. Neither country has ever won the tournament, but both won their opening matches on Thursday.
Australia and New Zealand are in the southern hemisphere, _____ means it's winter there. The weather is expected to be cool and _____.
The prize money for the tournament has increased significantly. The _____ prize pot is \$110 million, which is almost three _____ more than in 2019 and seven times more than in 2015. Every player in the tournament will _____ compensation based on how far their team progresses. The winners of the World Cup will get $270,000 each.
This year's Women's World Cup is a _____ event with more teams, better payments for players, and a chance for more countries to shine on the _____ stage.
Discussion questions
- What do you think of the increased prize money for the Women's World Cup?
- How will the significant increase in prize money for the tournament help the overall growth and development of women's soccer worldwide?
- Do you think having more teams in the tournament makes the Women's World Cup more exciting and competitive? Why or why not?
- In your opinion, should the prize money for the Women's World Cup be the same as the Men's World Cup? What factors contribute to the difference in prize money between men's and women's tournaments in sports?
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