Massive news has broken overnight, as a joint bid between Australia and New Zealand to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s Football World Cup was successful.
The announcement that the trans Tasman effort had won out against Colombia, means its the first time two countries split over two Confederations (Asia and Oceania) will co-host the cup, which will be held across 9 cities: 7 in Australia and 2 in New Zealand.
Originally both Japan’s and Brazil were also in contention but both dropped out of the bid.
Congratulations @FFA & @NZ_Football!
— FIFA Women's World Cup (@FIFAWWC) June 25, 2020
YOU will host the #FIFAWWC 2023.
¡Felicitaciones, @FFA y @NZ_Football!
Serán ANFITRIONAS de la #FIFAWWC 2023. pic.twitter.com/PaL1PR6HyO
Adelaide’s Hindmarsh Stadium, with a capacity for 18,435 is one of the 13 proposed for the Cup, across 12 Australian and New Zealand cities.
FIFA has reported that all proposed stadiums performed strongly against the required criteria.
While FIFA has the final say in which stadiums are used, Australia and New Zealand have asked that a minimum of 10 are selected, 5 in each country.
Stadium Australia looks most likely for the final, as it’s the only venue with the 55,000+ capacity required by FIFA for the iconic match.
The other proposed stadiums for the cup are:
Stadium Australia, Sydney – Capacity 70,000+ (or 82,000+ if a previously planned development now takes place)
Lang Park, Brisbane – Capacity 52,263
Opening match: Eden Park, Auckland – Capacity 48,276
Sydney Football Stadium – Capacity 42,512
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington – Capacity 39,000
AAMI Park, Melbourne – Capacity 30,052
Dunedin stadium, Dunedin – Capacity 28,744
Newcastle stadium, Newcastle – Capacity 25,945
Waikato stadium, Hamilton – Capacity 25,111
Christchurch Stadium, Christchurch – Capacity 22,556
Perth Oval, Perth – Capacity 22,225
York Park, Launceston – Capacity 22,065
Hindmarsh Stadium, Adelaide – Capacity 18,435
The proposed dates for the Cup are July 10 to August 10, 2023.
In the years ahead, FIFA has committed to spending US$1 billion to develop Women’s Football.
Photo credit: AAP