Mikel Obi in action for Nigeria during the World Cup Qualifier match against Ethiopia at the U.J. Esuene Stadium, Calabar , Saturday. November 16, 2013. Photo: NAN

The Women’s World Cup could reach up to a billion TV viewers as Canada kick off the biggest staging of the tournament. The seventh edition of the competition will feature 24 teams for the first time. Eight sides will make their World Cup debuts but Germany and the United States will start as favourites as they seek to win a third global title.

More than 400m viewers tuned into the Women’s World Cup in Germany four years ago, and tournament organisers Fifa hope that increased interest from broadcasters and a captive North American audience can boost ratings in order to help the sport grow. Fifa says the tournament is due to be broadcast in 187 territories.

The Women’s World Cup will be the first Fifa tournament since Sepp Blatter announced his intention to stand down as president on Tuesday following corruption allegations against members of the organisation. The Women’s World Cup will be the first Fifa tournament since Sepp Blatter announced his intention to stand down as president on Tuesday following corruption allegations against members of the organisation.

Before his resignation speech Fifa had said Blatter would attend the final in Vancouver on 5 July, but in a news conference on Thursday officials said that was still to be confirmed. More than 920,000 tickets have already been sold for the tournament, while the prize fund is $15m (£10m) with the winners earning $2m, up 50% from four years ago.