Overview

• A record 81,885 attended the final, with roughly 440,000 tickets sold across the tournament, underscoring surging interest in the women’s game.
• Ellie Kildunne’s early solo try shifted control before England’s pack dominated, as Alex Matthews scored twice and Sadia Kabeya earned player of the match.
• Canada struck first through Asia Hogan-Rochester and the winger added a second, but the No. 2 seeds struggled to convert sustained pressure near England’s line.
• The triumph is England’s third world title after 1994 and 2014, ending recent final heartbreak and cementing their standing at the top of the sport.
• Canada’s campaign spotlighted funding gaps, with a crowdfunding drive reported at 95% of its $1 million goal, and captain Sophie de Goede named world player of the year.