Australia and New Zealand will co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, after FIFA announced the winning bid in the early hours of Friday morning (26 June).
Australia-New Zealand 2023 will be the first co-hosted, cross-Confederation FIFA World Cup™ and the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in the Southern Hemisphere and Asia-Pacific region.
Capital Football Chair Fran Sankey congratulated Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) on their fantastic, winning bid.
Ms Sankey said hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand will unite the football communities across the world As One to celebrate the world game.
“Congratulations to New Zealand Football President Johanna Wood, Football Federation Australia President Chris Nikou and the AsOne team for their tireless work to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ to Australia and New Zealand,” Ms Sankey said.
“I personally haven’t had the opportunity to attend a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ before, so to do so on home soil is very exciting.
“One of my fondest memories of the Westfield Matildas was watching them play Germany at Bruce Stadium in their opening game of the 2000 Olympics.
“It is exciting that the next generation can also experience their own lifelong memories of the Westfield Matildas competing on home soil at the largest women’s sporting event in the world.”
Capital Football CEO Phil Brown also extended his congratulations to FFA and NZF. Mr Brown believes hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ will be a catalyst for the further development of women’s football.
“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ will inspire more women and girls across Australia, New Zealand, and in particular here in the nation’s capital, to play football,” Mr Brown said.
“In 2019, we had more than 7,000 women and girls playing football in the ACT and surrounding region, with females now representing 27 percent of outdoor players in the ACT.
“Australia-New Zealand 2023 embodies our passion and commitment to women’s football and will create an enduring legacy for women’s football across the country.”