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Welcome, 2023. Women’s football fans, this is our time to count the seconds until New Zealand v Norway kicks off the World Cup on 20 July. Expectations are high for the tournament and there is an expectation it will increase interest in the women’s game in Australia and New Zealand, the host countries that will be the centre of the football world for a month.

“I dream of a cultural shift from the World Cup,” says Moya Dodd, chair of Common Goal, and a former Matildas vice-captain who was a member of the Fifa Council until 2017. “[I hope] that women can enjoy gender equality in sports and all roles in society, that football is fully embraced as a truly Australian sport and that football becomes a holistic and inclusive game where everybody belongs.”

Legacy plans for the host nations discuss the importance of achieving gender parity in football, supporting future generations of girls who want to play. Dodd says that although she is excited to see the game growing, it is bittersweet to think that for decades women were banned and shunned. “Why couldn’t our mothers have been professionals or at least players?” she says. “Why couldn’t I grow up seeing women’s football in the media?”

She hopes Australia hosting the World Cup will lead more people in her country to realise the importance of – and potential for – the growth of the women’s game and be reflected in participation numbers. “2023 is a once-in-a-generation chance to make up a lot of ground,” she says. “We have to seize the moment.”

Dodd also highlights the importance of promoting the A-League Women, Australian’s top division. Wellington Phoenix, a New Zealand professional team, are one of 11 clubs in the competition. “Just as the Euros gave a lift to the WSL, I want to see the World Cup deliver new audiences to the league here in Australia and to all pro leagues around the world.

“These competitions create jobs for women in the game, show week in, week out entertainment to fans and elevate role models for aspiring players. The leagues and the national team competitions uplift each other.”

For fans travelling to Australia for the World Cup there are many opportunities for sightseeing – Dodd particularly recommends the central market and Rundle Street in her home town Adelaide and Sydney Harbour Bridge. She also identifies the opportunity to learn how to speak Australian – “even if you’re flat-out like a lizard drinking” (for non-Australians it means “even if you’re extremely busy”).

Dodd says the World Cup is also a chance for visitors and tourists to understand Australia’s culture. “I hope they can appreciate that Australia is home to the oldest continuous civilisation in the world. They have been custodians of this land for 65,000 years.”

She also points out the importance of traditions such as Welcome to Country, a ceremony performed by a traditional owner or custodian to welcome visitors to their ancestral land, usually at the beginning of an event. “Take time to understand and appreciate it,” Dodd says.

Both World Cup legacy plans aim to support the inclusion of Indigenous girls and women in football. Māori and Indigenous Australians will have opportunities and programmes developed for these communities. Football Australia’s participation pillar seeks to introduce a national Indigenous programme and New Zealand Football aims to have more Māori making meaningful connections throughout the game.

“The Matildas are a hugely popular team and their presence is very tangible,” Dodd says. “My only wish is that each Matilda be the best she is capable of, so that the team collectively can be at its best. Nothing could be better than that and nobody could ask for more.”

Talking point

It was 1991. The first Women’s World Cup took place in China and, in the stands, the greatest men’s footballer of all time was impressed by what the players were doing on the pitch. “No one should be ashamed to give a football to a girl,” said Pelé. During the Tokyo Olympics, 30 years later, he congratulated Marta when she became the first woman to score in five consecutive Games. “How many dreams do you think you inspired today?” he wrote. After Pelé’s death last Thursday, it feels important to remember him and his influence on the game. As Marta said: “Through your feet, we were and will be blessed by your art.” Rest in peace, Pelé.

Quote of the week

“You get to a certain age when you actually say: ‘This is a really big fucking problem.’ I’m pretty sure if men had periods we would have figured out a way to stop them by now without doing any damage” – Leah Williamson on living with endometriosis in Women’s Health.

Recommended viewing

You were wrong if you thought there was no women’s football during the holidays. Check out this classy finish by Sheridan Gallagher for Western Sydney Wanderers in their draw with Wellington Phoenix in the Liberty A-League.

Got a question for our writers – or want to suggest a topic to cover? Get in touch by emailing moving.goalposts@theguardian.com.