Kelly Simmons, Football Association director of women's football, has claimed that England's success in this year's World Cup has enticed the nation to fall in love with the Lionesses.
Mark Sampson's charges eliminated hosts Canada from the tournament on Sunday with a 2-1 victory in the quarter-final to set up a last-four clash with reigning champions Japan on Wednesday.
Simmons told BBC Sport: "It feels like the nation has fallen in love with the Lionesses. It's a tipping point as many millions have got behind them.
"Everyone is really proud of the England Women team, awareness levels have never been higher surrounding the quality of women's football and all the work that has gone into helping them get where they are now - which is competing at the very top.
"Hopefully that will translate into people getting behind those players when they play for their clubs in the Women's Super League and the European Championship qualifiers."
The Lionesses are only the third England team to reach a last-four spot in a World Cup after the men's team at the 1990 tournament and the triumphant 1966 side.
