FIFA has selected the nine cities and 10 stadiums which will stage games at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Most notably, the opening fixture of the five-week tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand, will take place in July at Eden Park in Auckland – the largest sporting venue in the country – with the final being held at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
The other chosen venues have been named as the Hindmarsh Stadium in Adelaide, Brisbane Stadium, Dunedin Stadium, Waikato Stadium in Hamilton, Melbourne Rectangular Stadium, Perth Rectangular Stadium, Sydney Football Stadium and Wellington Stadium.
However, from the initial shortlist drawn up of 12 cities, Newcastle, Christchurch and Launceston have each missed out on hosting duties.
“The appointment of the nine host cities represents a major milestone for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, as well as for players and football fans across Australia, New Zealand and around the world,” noted FIFA President, Gianni Infantino.
“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.”
Representing the first time the tournament has been expanded to include 32 teams, the competition will also be co-hosted by two countries for the first time after Australia and New Zealand were awarded the hosting rights to the 2023 Women’s World Cup last summer.
Football Australia President, Chris Nikou, added: “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.
“Today’s announcement of the host cities and match venues for the tournament is a major milestone in the build-up to the next FIFA Women’s World Cup – 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.”
