Sportsfootball
Are Women's World Cup play-offs working?
The ease with which top teams like England dispatch lower-ranked opponents in the European Women's World Cup qualifying play-offs has raised serious questions about the structure of the tournament. One-sided scorelines highlight a growing competitive gap in international women's football. Critics argue that the current format fails to provide meaningful competition or entertainment, while placing unnecessary physical demands on athletes through lopsided fixtures. Governing bodies face mounting pressure to evaluate and reform these qualifying pathways.