Xinhua News Agency, Canberra, December 13 (Reporter Yue Dongxing) the Australian Football Association announced on the 13th that it would cooperate with the New Zealand Football Association to jointly bid for the first 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with 32 participating teams.
The Australian Football Association announced on its official website on the 13th that the two football associations jointly bid for the Women’s World Cup, which is supported by the two governments and will jointly promote the development of women’s football through this cooperation. The Australian Football Association also introduced that after the two sides reached a consensus, the report of the joint bid will be submitted to FIFA, because the 13th is the deadline.
Australian minister of youth affairs and sports richard colbeck said on the official website of the australian football association on the 13th that due to the expansion of the 2023 women’s world cup competition, it increased to 32 participating teams for the first time, so australia, the new joint application is a logical decision.
He said: “Australia and New Zealand have a successful history of jointly holding international competitions. We have infrastructure, professionalism and enthusiasm to jointly host the 2023 Women’s football World Cup. I wish Australia and the new Football Association a successful bid.”
Chris Niku, chairman of the Australian Football Association, said that if the joint bid is successful, it will promote the popularization and promotion of women’s football in the Asia-Pacific region and attract investment.
Previously, the Australian Football Association announced its bid intention as early as June, 2017, and then reiterated in February this year that it would strive for the right to host the 2023 Women’s football World Cup, but it has always been the independent bid of the National Football Association. Local media said that the Australian Football Association announced the joint bid with the New Zealand Football Association on the 13th, which was a measure to improve the success rate.
Since its establishment in 1991, the Women’s World Cup, like the men’s World Cup, has been held every four years. After more than 20 years of development, the highest level event of this women’s football sport has gradually improved its influence. The previous two women’s football World Cups were held in Canada in 2015 and France in 2019 respectively. China held this event in 1991and 2007.