FFA and NZF unite to submit joint bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) have today announced that they have joined forces to submit an historic co-confederation Bid to host the first-ever 32-nation FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

FFA’s and NZF’s Bid - which has received the unified support of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand – aims to boost women’s football in Asia and Oceania with the two culturally and geographically aligned nations working ‘As One’ to deliver a celebration of women’s football.

Confirmation of the ‘As One’ FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 bid was made at AAMI Park in Melbourne, just hours before the Official Bid Book was to be submitted to FIFA at their global headquarters in the Swiss city of Zurich.

If successful, a co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand would see the venues in both nations utilised world football governing body FIFA’s global women’s showpiece.

Australian Federal Minister for Youth and Sport, Richard Colbeck, said the Australian Government is committed to the joint bid which is a logical and compelling response to the expanded 32-nation format that will be introduced in 2023.

Senator Colbeck stated “our bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 strongly aligns with the Australian Government’s commitment to inspire more girls and women to participate in sport and increase their physical activity for better health and wellbeing.

“Australia and New Zealand have a successful history of both staging and co-hosting major international sporting events. We have the infrastructure, expertise and enthusiasm to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and I wish FFA and New Zealand Football every success.”

New Zealand Minister for Sport and Recreation, Grant Robertson, said the joint bid is an unprecedented opportunity for the two countries to showcase their commitment to women’s sport and continue to track records of successfully hosting major sporting events, commenting “New Zealand and Australia are both countries that champion and celebrate women’s sport, and it has been no surprise to see the football community, stadia, host cities and states across our two countries embrace this bid.

“We know New Zealand and Australia can work as a team to deliver something unique and world class, while also creating a legacy for women and for football in our countries and across Asia and Oceania.”

FFA President, Chris Nikou, believes a co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup will supercharge the development of women’s football across the region and unlock significant investment in the game.

Niko advised “as trusted members of FIFA, FFA and NZF are committed to hosting an excellent Women’s World Cup that delivers real benefits for the game not only during tournament time, but in the lead up to the competition and afterwards.

“The decision to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, two leading nations in the promotion of women’s football and gender equality, will accelerate the game at both the grassroots and professional levels, lighting a path for future generations of footballers, administrators, and fans in Asia-Pacific.”

NZF President, Johanna Wood, said the level of cooperation on display by FFA and NZF in a short period of time to develop the joint Bid submission highlights the excellent way in which the nations would work to host the tournament proper.

Wood explained “NZF and FFA are excited to be joining together ‘As One’ to Bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM. The opportunity to partner, across not just member association boundaries but also confederation boundaries, represents a new level of cooperation for football.

“I would like to thank the team who have worked tirelessly to get our submission together which is no mean feat but, more importantly, demonstrates the strong relationship between our two nations and member associations.”

Leading players from Westfield Matildas and Football Ferns are supporting the bid, with Australia’s Sam Kerr and New Zealand’s Rosie White both believing that the tournament would offer profound benefits for the game.

Kerr, who scored five goals in four games at this year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France commented “Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia would be a dream come true for me.

“There is so much untapped potential, not just in Australia but right across Asia and the Pacific region, that I really do believe we would offer something incredibly special to FIFA.

“I really believe that Australia and New Zealand would be incredible hosts to take the game forward.

“It is also fitting that New Zealand was the Matildas’ first full international opponent 40 years ago and now we are partnering in a Bid to host the biggest women’s sporting tournament on the planet.”

White added “if New Zealand and Australia were to host a World Cup it would change football in region forever.

“I had a taste for it with the U-17 Women’s World Cup (in New Zealand) in 2008 and that is, still to this day, one of my favourite memories.

“I could not think of a better opportunity than hosting a World Cup to help women’s football skyrocket in New Zealand – to inspire the next generations and drive investment into our sport.

Images: NZF President, Johanna Wood and FFA President, Chris Nikou at today's joint bid annoucement (top, courtesy of the FFA): FIFA's headquarters in Switzerland (middle) and Sam Kerr (below, courtesy of the FFA).