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.
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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.
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.
BREAKING: A source has confirmed that the FA’s rep on the Fifa Council Greg Clarke refused to take a call from Jacinda Ardern this week on Australia and New Zealand bid.
— Suzy Wrack (@SuzyWrack) June 25, 2020
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.”
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 moment 😠pic.twitter.com/QRumipMVvY
— Westfield Matildas (@TheMatildas) June 25, 2020
WE DID IT. WE FREAKING DID IT. @AsOne2023 🇦🇺🇳🇿
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) June 25, 2020
Me right now. pic.twitter.com/SDSNNuEbgi
— Sam Kerr (@samkerr1) June 25, 2020
“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.
“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.
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
As the breakdown reveals, Australia’s ability to win the trust of Africa & North America was absolutely decisive.
— Sebastian Hassett (@sebth) June 25, 2020
Nailing all 5 votes of CONCACAF - which borders Colombia - was a stunning home run.
That’s all the work of James Johnson; the architect of a sensational victory. pic.twitter.com/KY8jPlRXqk
An iconic @samkerr1 backflip on the most iconic building in the world, the Sydney Opera House.
— AsOne2023 (@AsOne2023) June 25, 2020
All of Australia is Onside #AsOne for a @FIFAWWC in 2023. pic.twitter.com/C80RB9hkIT
Yes we are.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) June 25, 2020
Let’s do this .@FIFAWWC #AsOne2023 https://t.co/FIrhbO27S8
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.
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.
