The ties that bind: Family and relationships behind the FIFA Women's World Cup Teams
Delve into the stories that are integral to the success of the stars at Australia & New Zealand 2023.
Football
USWNT superstar Alex Morgan can't wait to have her favourite fan cheering her on at the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
The co-captain of the United States women's national soccer team (USWNT) shared a heart-warming message with her 10 million Instagram followers when her three-year-old daughter Charlie and husband Servando Carrasco arrived in New Zealand.
"She made it, and my heart is full," wrote Morgan.
There is so much to these players and their stories than what we see on the field for 90 minutes during the world's most prestigious football tournament.
Whether it be who they are inspired by or who they play alongside, families can be a driving factor for many professional athletes.
As we head into the last phase of the tournament, we're looking at just a few family stories that have played a big part in what has made this World Cup special thus far.
Family at the Women’s World Cup
It is one thing to have your family in the stands cheering you on, but it is another to have them in camp with you experiencing the journey alongside you.
USA-born sisters, Olivia and Chandler McDaniel, both represented the Philippines in their maiden World Cup appearance, as they were drawn into Group A alongside New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland.
Despite not progressing into the last 16, they recorded a historic win over NZ of which Olivia in particular played a crucial role in, cropping up with many top saves.
What they have achieved together on the world stage will inspire so many more players in the future, echoes Olivia in an interview with FIFA: “I want to encourage not only young girls but kids in general to just invest their time in the game.
“The Philippines may not have some of the resources other countries have, but all you really need is a ball at your feet."
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND - JULY 30: Olivia McDaniel and Chandler McDaniel of Philippines interact after the FIFA Women's World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 Group A match between Norway and Philippines at Eden Park on July 30, 2023 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Inspired by family
Whether family members are in the stands supporting or no longer with us, players are continually inspired by them.
Morocco's sensation Ghizlane Chebbak is among those wanting to carry on the legacy of her loved one. Her late father, Larbi, inspired her love for the game having formerly played himself.
“During the hard times, when I stopped playing, he motivated me to continue and love football more,” she told BBC Sport.
Regardless of what happens beyond the last-16, Chebbak and the Atlas Lionesses have created history by progressing to the knockout stages in their maiden World Cup outing, creating their own legacy for the up-and-coming players to emulate in the future.
Co-hosts New Zealand may have been knocked out of the competition, but that won’t take away from their curtain-raising victory against Norway on the opening night of the tournament – their first-ever win at this tournament.
For Football Ferns co-captain Ali Riley, it meant that little bit more with her family looking on from the stands at a home tournament.
“I’m very privileged to have the support of my family,” she said.
“They have literally travelled around the globe to see me play.”
In what will likely be the last World Cup they travel to in order to support her, that victory no doubt meant more than most, and it was reflected in heart-warming scenes at full-time.