Zurich, Apr 1 (UNI): The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be played across nine cities in New Zealand and Australia, soccer’s global governing body said.
The opening match will take place at Eden Park in Auckland while Sydney’s Stadium Australia will host the final.
The two semifinal matches will be split between Australia and New Zealand with the full schedule to be announced later this year, FIFA said during announcing the host cities on Wednesday in Zurich.
Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth will also host games in Australia, with New Zealand’s Dunedin, Hamilton and Wellington completing the nine host cities for the mega event.
‘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,’ FIFA President Gianni Infantino said in a statement.
The trans-Tasman neighbours will put on the first women’s World Cup hosted by more than one country and the first to feature 32 teams, up from the 24 that participated in the 2019 women’s tournament in France.
‘The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will be the biggest sporting event on Australian soil since the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games, showcasing Australia and New Zealand to a global audience of over one billion people,’ said Chris Nikou, Football Australia President.
The selection of the host cities and stadiums follows a thorough and comprehensive process over the last 8-months conducted by FIFA, together with the two host associations.
New Zealand Football President Johanna Wood said it would be a privilege to co-host the tournament with Australia, adding: ‘We have and will continue to work with our partners to deliver the biggest, most exciting and best tournament to date.’
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