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Heading halfway across the globe for a month in the name of football wasn’t necessarily something I’d planned to do in my life a couple of years ago. So jumping on that 10pm flight from Heathrow, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I don’t think anyone was.

But I think that’s part of the appeal of a World Cup – new country, new cultures, new experiences. A complete and utter immersion into football culture, surrounded by like-minded people, with the promise of one month of pure football joy? That sounds like something Art Of Football (AOF) can get behind.

Landing on 20 July, it might have been absolute lunacy to head straight to the opening Matildas v Ireland match. But you’re only at an Australian World Cup once, so that’s exactly what we did, and we have absolutely no regrets. An opening match on home soil is pretty much something of dreams. Trying to find our way in Sydney Olympic Park, in a sea of Irish orange and green on one side, Tillies yellow on the other side. Not really the Nottingham and Bethnal Green offices the team typically finds themselves in.

Going forward throughout the tournament, it became seriously apparent that it wasn’t a tournament for predictions. Any expectations we had were pretty much straight out of the window – all you need to think about is that Sweden vs USA penalty. The AOF team actually watched that in the Sydney fan park, and when we finally understood just what had happened, it left us in a state of half shell shock, half ecstasy. Maybe less so for the USA fans sat next to us, and to them we apologise for the Sweet Caroline chants that ensued. Look, a scenario where the Lionesses aren’t pitted against world champions is something for celebration, and as England fans we have to stand by that.

In terms of standout moments, it’s hard to narrow down. The Colombia fans were maybe the best I’ve ever seen – drums echoing for miles and a street saturated in red, yellow, and blue – and Colombia v South Korea probably marked the pinnacle of fan culture heaven. Considering that match was one of the lowest attended of the games we went to, it was by far the loudest. Mentally, I’m back there a bit more often than I’d like to admit, trying to firm those scenes in my memory for as long as possible, and then some.

What stands out further is when France defeated Panama 6-3. Scoring from a free kick before the AOF team had even reached their seat, Panama’s start to the game was like no other. While many countries might see a dip in morale in a World Cup loss, it was hard not to get involved in Panama’s post-match party. Players hopping the fence, chanting in the crowd of fans, flags wherever the eye can see. Singing dies down. Then starts up louder than before. The joy of simply being there, win or lose. The joy of being with the fans, in a country halfway across the world. The support of women in Panama, for women in Panama.

 

Stitched into history

AOF came up with the idea of crafting a Button Down Under shirt to stitch these pinnacle moments into history. Twenty-two embroideries, from Caicedo’s heart celebration to Miyazawa as top goalscorer, to immortalising the celebrations of Hannah Wilkinson as New Zealand won a World cup match for the first time. With so many different nations breaking records, be it a first tournament win or the fastest penalty, it’s no wonder that the growth of women’s football is excelling at an exponential rate. What was planned as a button-down full of art, capturing key moments, becomes a part of history.

Look, I can’t talk about the World Cup without talking about the Lionesses. Our team. Our WEUROs winners. Our World Cup finalists. Mary Earps – Nottingham’s own. Golden Glove winner. The team did a whole nation proud. What really stands out, beyond what happens on the pitch, are the personalities of each player. They stand for the inspiration that so many young players need. Relatable, hilarious, passionate. It crossed our mind quite a couple of times while out there that we could sit and watch our Lionesses play forever and never get bored, and I think a chunk of that comes down to how much everyone likes the people behind the players.

There’s something about an international tournament that can’t be replicated. Each one has its unique set of fans, its unique stories, and its own dynamic. Australia and New Zealand wasn’t a replica of 2019, and it won’t be the blueprint for 2027. I think every fan, no matter how far their team progressed through the tournament, is grateful for that.

What stands out is the wholehearted welcome from the host countries. While AOF predominantly experienced the World Cup through the games held in Sydney, we dipped into the culture of Brisbane and Auckland. The common theme? Just how friendly and passionate our hosts down under were. Kerr’s face plastered everywhere; Tillies shirts left, right and centre; and a complete immersion into a football culture defined by pure love for the game and the fans.

 

Aussie pride

The standout moment of this feeling, by far, is the atmosphere after the semi-final. Sure, there’s an air of longing for what could have been – we’d expect nothing less. But what really shone through was Aussie pride. The pride for the women on the pitch, representing their country. Their fans. The unbreakable bond between those on the pitch and those in the stands. I don’t think there was a single person we spoke to before or after the game who didn’t hold up the Matildas in the highest of esteems. It’s a joy to be surrounded by those who love the game so much. If you ever get the chance to watch the Matildas or Socceroos, snatch it up immediately.

Maybe it started to sink in on the opening ceremony. Or watching Panama’s celebrations after their loss against France, 40 minutes of pure joy and pride. Maybe it was the absolute roar of the Colombian support. Maybe it was that Chloe Kelly penalty. Or watching Nigeria defeat Australia, surrounded by Matildas fans in Darling Harbour. Maybe it was the rush of gold confetti, as Spain celebrated their rise to world champions. Or maybe it still hasn’t sunk in, and that’s why the whole AOF team find themselves constantly reliving it any time there’s a spare moment in the office.

Looking back, I think it would be near impossible for any experience to truly live up to the Women’s World Cup 2023. What it truly showed is this: nothing ties the world together quite like football.

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