Australia-New Zealand set to launch joint Women’s World Cup bid
Australia may be forced to call on international neighbours New Zealand to help secure the 2023 Women’s Football World Cup, with FIFA set to expand the tournament to a record 32 teams.
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A joint Australia-New Zealand Women’s World Cup bid beckons, with FIFA set to expand the 2023 tournament to a record 32 teams.
Australia had committed to submitting a solo bid for a 24-team tournament, but the extra eight teams would present logistical challenges.
FIFA on Friday asked its ruling council to fast-track expansion to 2023 after the stunning success of France 2019.
Australia and NZ are among nine bidders for the 2023 World Cup, and it is understood that six host cities — Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Canberra — were to form part of FFA’s solo bid submission. But dialogue will be re-opened with the federal government once expansion is ratified, with minimum eight host cities needed for 32 teams.
“We’ve taken note of public comments made by the FIFA president and media speculation and we await the outcome of any decision. But we are committed to bidding to host a Women’s World Cup and we will study any revised requirements accordingly,” an FFA spokesman said.
FIFA believes the 2019 World Cup, won by the United States in France this month, showed that a bigger tournament is commercially possible, and would speed development of the women’s game.
Starting as a 12-team tournament in 1991, the Women’s World Cup grew to 16 (1999) and 24 (2015). The men’s World Cup has been a 32-team tournament since 1998, and will expand to 48 in 2026.
FFA chairman Chris Nikou told a Football Victoria lunch on Friday that Australia remained committed to winning the 2023 event and Matildas record goalscorer Lisa De Vanna said Australia would host the greatest World Cup yet, considering our track record with major events.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino set the 32-team target in Paris on July 5, and proposed doubling tournament prizemoney to $97 million, after Megan Rapinoe and her US team and Sam Kerr’s Matildas led a chorus of calls for a pay rise.
“FIFA has a responsibility to ensure its women’s competitions not only showcase women’s football at the highest level, but also act as a catalyst to grow the game,” council members were told.
Also vying for 2023 are Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea — which could bid with North Korea.
If expansion is confirmed, FIFA will ask bidders to reconfirm their interest and invite others to enter.
If council members agree to the expansion by next week, FIFA will pick the host in May instead of March as previously scheduled.
FIFA is also likely to change the commercial structure of the Women’s World Cup, giving it dedicated sponsors.
FIFA’s sponsors presently have deals across the men’s and women’s tournaments.
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