Carney will lead a series of group meetings with industry experts across the country. She will be supported in the evidence gathering and analysis by senior officials from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the FA. A full report is expected to be published early next year, with the government formally responding shortly afterwards.

The review will look at how to deliver bold and sustainable growth of the women’s game at elite and grassroots level, with particular focus on the potential audience reach and growth of the game, the financial health of the game and its financial sustainability for the long term and the structures within women’s football.

“Over the last few years, the game has grown significantly and at a rapid pace. Of course, this is an exciting time, but there is an urgent need to ensure there are processes and structures in place that protect the interest of the game and the people working in it. I have always said that the sport needs to be built on solid foundations to give it long-lasting success in a sustainable way,” said Carney.

“For me, this is a defining period for the sport and this review will be at the heart of that. We must capitalise on these powerful moments and can look back on 2022 as a year where we made great strides forward in the growth of the game.”

During her career, Carney achieved 144 caps for England and represented Team GB at the London 2012 Olympic Games. She enjoyed a club career for Arsenal, Chicago Red Stars, Birmingham City and Chelsea. She is now a respected voice on both men’s and women’s football and works as a broadcaster and columnist for the Guardian, ITV Sport and Sky Sports, as well as her role as a sponsorship consultant for Visa.

At grassroots level football has become the most played team sport for women and girls in England, with three million registered players and 12,000 registered teams.