Matildas star Sam Kerr fronts video pitch for Australia to host women’s World Cup in 2023
This is the video Football Federation Australia hopes will galvanise public support for its bid to host the women’s World Cup and Matildas star Sam Kerr plays a major role. Watch it now.
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With little more than a fortnight until the start of the women’s World Cup, this is the video that aims to galvanise public support for Australia’s bid to host a future tournament.
Fronted by Sam Kerr, and featuring a range of football fans from park players to celebrities, the video launched today underlines how hosting a women’s World Cup could inspire a generation of children to follow in the Matildas’ footsteps.
Football Federation Australia is building a bid to be submitted by October, with the help of $5 million of government funding, and the host nation will be chosen in March next year.
Though the Australian bid faces stiff competition from the likes of Japan and a joint North-South Korean proposal, the video aims to bolster public support for a tournament it’s thought would cost some $80-$100m to host if successful.
In it, Kerr talks of the value of playing on home soil, backed by a partisan crowd, as her side prepares to kick off the Matildas’ campaign at this year’s World Cup on June 9.
“To be playing in front of your family and friends is one thing but to be playing in front of a full stadium of people that are all on your side is such an amazing experience,” Kerr says in the video.
“To have that kind of home support at a World Cup in Australia would be unbelievable. It gives me chills just thinking about it.”
FFA CEO David Gallop said that hosting the World Cup would drive up football’s already prodigious participation numbers but he is calling for all state governments to back the bid.
“This is an opportunity we want the entire country to get onside for,” Gallop said.
“Bringing the women’s World Cup to Australia is our chance to welcome the world.
“A women’s World Cup at home will show girls and boys first-hand the amazing things they can achieve and inspire them to play the game that connects us all.
“As we’ve seen recently with the UEFA Champions League, big football events can truly grab the whole world’s attention.
“A Women’s World Cup would do that and shine a spotlight on our nation. The major focus of the bid over the coming months is to secure the necessary domestic support, both from the community and from governments.
“We’ve asked the public to get onside, now we need all governments to do likewise. With the Federal Election out of the way, we will reach out to the Commonwealth Government to meet as soon as possible.
“This is a wonderful opportunity for the new government to also put gender equality at the forefront.”