Interest in women's soccer in Canada is higher than in men's soccer
Surprising results from a poll conducted before the Women's World Cup.
A survey conducted by Ipsos specifically for Global News shows that expectations for Canada's women's national soccer team are higher than they were for the men's national team last year.
The Women's World Cup kicks off this week in Australia and New Zealand. Canada's women's team, ranked No. 7 in the FIFA rankings, will play its first match on Thursday against Nigeria.
Despite the 14-hour difference from the tournament venue, 41% of respondents said they would follow the women's national team closely. Last year, 34% of Canadians pledged to follow the performance of the men's team at the Mundial in Qatar, according to a similar Ipsos poll.
Success on the international stage and a place in the world rankings is the main factor that draws Canadians' attention to the women's national team, says Sanyam Sethi — vice-president of Ipsos. However, with pride in the team, comes high expectations.
About a third of respondents also said that the Women's World Cup is more important to them than the Olympic Games, which are also held every four years.
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