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Australia, New Zealand named hosts of 2023 Women’s World Cup

Late fears about a UEFA-led push for Colombia - and a stunning snub by England - were not enough to stop a historic, successful Australasian bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Tom Smithies
@smithiestele
3 min read
June 26, 2020 - 9:43AM
Sam Kerr and members of the Matildas celebrated the news Australia would host the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Picture: Instagram
Sam Kerr and members of the Matildas celebrated the news Australia would host the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Picture: Instagram

The World Cup is coming to Australia.

After three years of lobbying across the globe, Australia and New Zealand have been chosen as joint hosts of the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

“We did it! We are hosting the 2023 FIFAWWC!” Australia’s Matildas wrote via Twitter.

And Matildas captain Sam Kerr couldn’t contain her glee.

“We did it. We freaking did it,” Kerr posted to Twitter.

Elated … Sam Kerr celebrates after Australia and New Zealand won the bid to host the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup. Picture: Instagram/@samanthakerr20
Elated … Sam Kerr celebrates after Australia and New Zealand won the bid to host the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup. Picture: Instagram/@samanthakerr20

The outcome was announced in the early hours of Friday morning by FIFA boss Gianni Infantino, after FIFA’s ruling council voted to choose the Australasian bid over Colombia, its only rival.

In the end the joint bid triumphed by 22 votes to 13, with only the European and South American nations backing Australia’s rival after council members watched video pitches from the two bidders.

There was an element of controversy about the vote, with FFA CEO James Johnson admitting he was disappointed with the England FA’s decision to side with Colombia’s bid.

“We scored very highly on a report that was an objective report. We know now what the voting was like and I must say we are disappointed with the way the FA voted,” Johnson said.

Reports emerged that the FA’s representative on the FIFA Council, Greg Clarke, snubbed a phone call from New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern ahead of the vote - revelations which set alarm bells off among Oceania football fans.

Fox Football commentator Robbie Slater unloaded on the voting process, but couldn’t hide his delight that the cards had finally fallen in favour of Australia.

“The machinations of the voting process in FIFA stinks - always has done,” Slater said on Friday.

“Things have changed, because we got it. We got through it. But a lot of it you just shake your head and go ‘why would that happen and why would they do this, why would they vote (for) that?’.

“But it’s all about gifts and promises that they make to each other.

“Let’s just rejoice in the fact that it’s not like our bid for the 2022 World Cup where we got one vote and spent a ridiculous amount of money. This one, we’ve got it.”

The Sydney Opera House lit up – with an image of a flying Sam Kerr – in support of Australia’s World Cup bid. Picture: Getty Images
The Sydney Opera House lit up – with an image of a flying Sam Kerr – in support of Australia’s World Cup bid. Picture: Getty Images

It means the countdown can begin immediately to the hosting of a sporting event watched by more than a billion people, and which promises to turbocharge interest in women’s football across the two countries.

“The opportunity to play in a home FIFA Women’s World Cup is something every footballer dreams of and I am looking forward to seeing those dreams come true,” Australian superstar Kerr said.

“Playing for the Matildas in Australia will be the highlight of my career and an opportunity to inspire girls, both in Australia and New Zealand, and all over the world to play football.

Officials from the As One 2023 campaign celebrate after Australia and New Zealand won the bid to host the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup. Picture: Twitter/@asone2023
Officials from the As One 2023 campaign celebrate after Australia and New Zealand won the bid to host the FIFA 2023 Women's World Cup. Picture: Twitter/@asone2023

“We have seen great progress in the women’s game and Australia-New Zealand will take the game to a whole new level.”

Late fears that FIFA would opt for Colombia – after reports on Thursday that European delegates on FIFA’s Council had decided to back the South American nation – failed to materialise, prompting the pouring of champagne at the headquarters of Football Federation Australia.

The good news comes nearly a decade after Australia was humiliated in its pursuit of hosting the 2022 Men’s World Cup, garnering then just a solitary vote.

Just hours before, the Sydney Opera House had been lit up with footage of the Matildas in a late affirmation of the government support in both Australia and New Zealand for the bid.

Matildas player Stephanie Catley spoke to the media just prior to the announcement. Picture: AAP
Matildas player Stephanie Catley spoke to the media just prior to the announcement. Picture: AAP
Aussie superstar Sam Kerr will get to compete on her home deck. Picture: Getty Images
Aussie superstar Sam Kerr will get to compete on her home deck. Picture: Getty Images

The joint Auz/NZ bid had been rated as clearly superior by FIFA’s own technical experts in their evaluations of the rivals, scoring 4.5/5 compared with 2.8/5 for Colombia.

The World Cup will feature 32 teams for the first time, playing in three “hubs” in Australia and New Zealand, and ticket sales of 1.5m have been predicted.

Let’s hope we see more of this in 2023! Picture: Getty Images
Let’s hope we see more of this in 2023! Picture: Getty Images

Originally published as Australia, New Zealand named hosts of 2023 Women’s World Cup

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/football/australia-new-zealand-named-hosts-of-2023-womens-world-cup/news-story/0129b52826b2e8e5532d95093a00333d