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Australia, New Zealand will host 2023 Women’s World Cup

By Allison Cary

BRIDGEVIEW, IL - OCTOBER 20: Sam Kerr #20 of the Chicago Red Stars celebrates her goal during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Chicago Red Stars at SeatGeek Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/ISI Photos/Getty Images).
BRIDGEVIEW, IL - OCTOBER 20: Sam Kerr #20 of the Chicago Red Stars celebrates her goal during a game between Portland Thorns FC and Chicago Red Stars at SeatGeek Stadium on October 20, 2019 in Bridgeview, Illinois. (Photo by Daniel Bartel/ISI Photos/Getty Images). /
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The two countries were selected as hosts by the FIFA Council. 

Australia and New Zealand have beaten Colombia in a joint-bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup, receiving 22 of the 35 possible votes on the FIFA Council.

The Council voted via videoconference and the results were announced by FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

“I am sure we will have the best World Cup ever,” Infantino said to the media.

When Japan removed themselves from consideration to host the tournament, many assumed that New Zealand and Australia would be selected. But as many as 12 council members said they were undecided when they voted on Thursday.

The selection process for hosting the Women’s World Cup is different than the process to select a host for the men’s World Cup. The FIFA Council, which consists of 35 members, votes on the Women’s World Cup, while the FIFA Congress, with 211 members, votes on the men’s World Cup.

Infantino said that the difference doesn’t make sense and he will look into changing it for future tournaments.

Why did Australia and New Zealand defeat the Colombian bid?

FIFA released a report analyzing the technical capabilities, as well as infrastructure and commercial opportunities, in each country. While Australia and New Zealand ranked highest of the three bids in terms of technical capabilities, Colombia ranked last. It was determined that while Colombia met the minimum requirements for hosting the tournament, they would need a significant amount of help from FIFA in order to be successful hosts.

The only hesitation in supporting Australia and New Zealand was the complications of a joint bid, but the challenge seems to be welcomed.

“As the first joint (and cross-confederation) bid to host a FIFA Women’s World Cup, it also offers the opportunity for unity and cooperation with a view to boosting the development of the women’s game across the Asia-Pacific region,” the report said.

Ahead of the vote on Thursday, Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wrote an open letter to FIFA advocating for the joint-bid.

“An Australia-New Zealand FIFA Women’s World Cup would embody our passion for women’s football and proud commitment to equality and fairness, creating a profound and enduring legacy for the future of women’s football within the region and beyond.”