How do we close the gap then? Is it purely a matter of raising international viewership? What changes can FIFA make?
You have to wonder about things such as if they put in anywhere near as much effort as they did for the men's championship (artificial turf points to "no"). It'd be interesting to know if the women's team's pay is even equally proportional to the FIFA income from the game when compared to the men's? (don't think the income stat is available yet). It's hard to expect the rest of the world to care more than FIFA. If FIFA want people to care (and provide them with their income) then they need to lead the way. The game was actually the highest viewed soccer game in US history. But that's the US. Outside viewership won't have been anywhere near as enthusiastic.