April 1 – FIFA has announced the nine host cities for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with Sydney and Stadium Australia staging the final. Auckland in New Zealand will host the tournament’s curtain raiser.
Thirteen venues across 12 cities were in the race to stage matches in the trans-Tasman finals, but Newcastle, Launceston and Christchurch all missed out. Those cities could still be considered for team base camps and training centres.
Adelaide, Brisbane, Dunedin, Hamilton, Melbourne, Perth and Wellington will be the other seven host cities to welcome matches. The full match schedule will be announced later this year.
Football Australia president Chris Nikou said that the Women’s World Cup would be “a tournament that will unite nations, inspire generations, and provide our diverse and multicultural game with the perfect platform to grow over the coming years.”
As anticipated, Sydney will stage the final, with the city home to two match venues – Stadium Australia and the soon-to-be-completed Sydney Football Stadium. Eden Park has been selected to host the opening match, with both Australia and New Zealand getting a semi-final each.
“The appointment of the nine host cities represents a major milestone for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023,” said FIFA president Gianni Infantino in a statement.
“Building on the incredible success of France 2019 both on and off the pitch, the FIFA women’s World Cup 2023 and nine host cities across Australia and New Zealand will not only showcase the world’s very best players, but will also provide a powerful platform to unite and inspire people, transform lives and create a lasting legacy for women’s football in Australia and New Zealand and around the world.”
The 2023 edition will be the first to feature an expanded 32-team format, up from the 24 teams that took part in France 2019. The United States prevailed in that tournament, defeating the Netherlands 2-0 in the finals.
Contact the writer of this story, Samindra Kunti, at moc.l1734965299labto1734965299ofdlr1734965299owedi1734965299sni@o1734965299fni1734965299