AusLeisure

Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) have today announced that they have joined forces to submit an historic co-confederation Bid to host the first-ever 32-nation FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

FFA’s and NZF’s Bid - which has received the unified support of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand – aims to boost women’s football in Asia and Oceania with the two culturally and geographically aligned nations working ‘As One’ to deliver a celebration of women’s football.

Confirmation of the ‘As One’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 bid was made at AAMI Park in Melbourne, just hours before the Official Bid Book was to be submitted to FIFA at their global headquarters in the Swiss city of Zurich.

If successful, a co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand would see the venues in both nations utilised world football governing body FIFA’s global women’s showpiece.

Australian Federal Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the Australian Government is committed to the joint bid which is a logical and compelling response to the expanded 32-nation format that will be introduced in 2023.

Senator Colbeck stated “our bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 strongly aligns with the Australian Government’s commitment to inspire more girls and women to participate in sport and increase their physical activity for better health and wellbeing.

“Australia and New Zealand have a successful history of both staging and co-hosting major international sporting events. We have the infrastructure, expertise and enthusiasm to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and I wish FFA and New Zealand Football every success.”

New Zealand Minister for Sport and Recreation, Grant Robertson, said the joint bid is an unprecedented opportunity for the two countries to showcase their commitment to women’s sport and continue to track records of successfully hosting major sporting events, commenting “New Zealand and Australia are both countries that champion and celebrate women’s sport, and it has been no surprise to see the football community, stadia, host cities and states across our two countries embrace this bid.

“We know New Zealand and Australia can work as a team to deliver something unique and world class, while also creating a legacy for women and for football in our countries and across Asia and Oceania.”

FFA President, Chris Nikou, believes a co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup will supercharge the development of women’s football across the region and unlock significant investment in the game.

Niko advised “as trusted members of FIFA, FFA and NZF are committed to hosting an excellent Women’s World Cup that delivers real benefits for the game not only during tournament time, but in the lead up to the competition and afterwards.

“The decision to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, two leading nations in the promotion of women’s football and gender equality, will accelerate the game at both the grassroots and professional levels, lighting a path for future generations of footballers, administrators, and fans in Asia-Pacific.”

NZF President, Johanna Wood, said the level of cooperation on display by FFA and NZF in a short period of time to develop the joint Bid submission highlights the excellent way in which the nations would work to host the tournament proper.

Wood explained “NZF and FFA are excited to be joining together ‘As One’ to Bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM. The opportunity to partner, across not just member association boundaries but also confederation boundaries, represents a new level of cooperation for football.

“I would like to thank the team who have worked tirelessly to get our submission together which is no mean feat but, more importantly, demonstrates the strong relationship between our two nations and member associations.”

Leading players from Westfield Matildas and Football Ferns are supporting the bid, with Australia’s Sam Kerr and New Zealand’s Rosie White both believing that the tournament would offer profound benefits for the game.

Kerr, who scored five goals in four games at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France commented “Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia would be a dream come true for me.

“There is so much untapped potential, not just in Australia but right across Asia and the Pacific region, that I really do believe we would offer something incredibly special to FIFA.

“I really believe that Australia and New Zealand would be incredible hosts to take the game forward.

“It is also fitting that New Zealand was the Matildas’ first full international opponent 40 years ago and now we are partnering in a Bid to host the biggest women’s sporting tournament on the planet.”

White added “if New Zealand and Australia were to host a World Cup it would change football in region forever.

“I had a taste for it with the U-17 Women’s World Cup (in New Zealand) in 2008 and that is, still to this day, one of my favourite memories.

“I could not think of a better opportunity than hosting a World Cup to help women’s football skyrocket in New Zealand – to inspire the next generations and drive investment into our sport.

Images: NZF President, Johanna Wood and FFA President, Chris Nikou at today's joint bid annoucement (top, courtesy of the FFA): FIFA's headquarters in Switzerland (middle) and Sam Kerr (below, courtesy of the FFA).

Related Articles

6th December 2019 - FFA confirms appointment of new Chief Executive James Johnson

20th November 2019 - Victoria supports Australia’s bid to secure the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

12th November 2019 - South Australia support 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

30th September 2019 - Queensland Government backs 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

19th August 2019 - FFA announces independent review of national football teams

2nd August 2019 - FIFA Council approves expanded 32-team Women’s World Cup for 2023

5th July 2019 - FFA set to allow clubs to again use ethnic symbols and cultural names

18th June 2019 - Qatar World Cup 2022 shows mega-events can transform countries

27th May 2019 - Andrew Pragnell named new Chief Executive at New Zealand Football

24th May 2019 - FFA looks for significant Federal Government backing for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

21st May 2019 - FFA launches bid to host 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

30th April 2019 - New Zealand Football’s first female President looks to ongoing growth in women’s game

25th May 2018 - Successful 2017 sees New Zealand Football rack up surplus

13th June 2017 - Australia to bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

3rd October 2014 - Lawsuit filed over planned use of artificial turf at 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup

3rd July 2018 - New Zealand to submit bid to host 2023 Netball World Cup

20th August 2013 - New Zealand eyes tourism opportunities with FIFA Under 20 World Cup

16th November 2018 - New Zealand secures 2021 Women’s Rugby World Cup hosting

31st March 2015 - Massive crowd numbers for Cricket World Cup

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.