England’s historic Euro 2022 victory has changed the face of women’s football, and this is only the start

England is saluting its Lionesses. The new European champions even got a message from the Queen telling them they were an “inspiration.” Thousands of fans turned up at Trafalgar Square in the centre of London to see them reveling in the glory of it all.

The host nation’s first football silverware since the 1966 World Cup has turned millions of doubters into believers of the women’s game.

Chloe Kelly’s dancing celebration of her winning goal, revealing a Nike sports bra, is already an iconic symbol of the rise of women’s football, all reminiscent of that photo of the U.S.’s Brandi Chastain after her winner at the 1999 World Cup final.

Let us be honest here: Many male fans in Europe had previously been of the view that women could not and should not play football. It was regarded as “inappropriate” and not so long ago it was banned by some federations. Schools did not cater for girls who wanted to play the game. Clubs were really not that interested in throwing money at it.

But the revolution is now well underway, and things might move fast from here.

England already has its professional Women’s Super League, albeit with a tiny fraction of the budgets afforded to the men’s teams at top clubs like Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City. The European Championship win has made that league a far more attractive product for sponsors, advertisers and TV executives who sign the cheques. It could easily move to another level.

Players like Manchester United goalkeeper Mary Earps, captain Leah Williamson, and Player of the Tournament and Golden Boot winner Beth Mead have become sensations. Not to mention Alessia Russo, whose audacious back heel against Sweden in…