Matildas fever

In the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, the performance of the Australia women's national soccer team (nicknamed "the Matildas") captivated nationwide attention and had a significant ongoing impact on the perception of women's sport in Australia. Some media outlets used the terms Matildas fever to describe the community spirit on display,^[2][3] and Matildas effect to express the team's impact.^[4][5]

Throughout the tournament, more kits representing the Australian women's team were sold than for the national men's team ("the Socceroos"), for the first time.^[6] Every match featuring Australia sold out before the World Cup began.^[7] Australian TV viewership records were broken several times, with live viewing sites set up in major stadiums to cope with crowds growing each game.^[8] The Australia vs. England semi-final became the most-watched broadcast in Australian history, with 11.15 million watching on the Seven Network.^[9] It was the furthest an Australian soccer team had advanced in a World Cup. Both the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, and other state leaders pushed for a public holiday if the Matildas won the tournament.^[10]

As a direct result of the Matildas' success, the Australian government pledged $200 million to improve women's sporting facilities.^[11] In the 2024 winter soccer season, clubs around the country reported a record number of registrations for female players, with a 34 percent increase compared to the year prior.^[4] This influx of new members overwhelmed many regional soccer clubs.^[12]

The Australian National University named Matilda the Word of the Year of 2023.^[13] A mural of the team was painted at Bondi Beach,^[14] and a statue outside of Suncorp Stadium was announced.^[15] As of March 2024, every professional game the Matildas have participated in following the World Cup has sold out.^[16]