Football Federation Australia and New Zealand Football have joined forces to submit a historic co-confederation bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Confirmation of the ‘As One’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 bid was made at AAMI Park in Melbourne on Friday, just hours before the Official Bid Book was to be submitted to FIFA, reports nzfootball.co.uk
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.
“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,” Minister Robertson said.
“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, saId: “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.”
