Oceania Football Confederation welcomes joint bid

By Jotham Ulutoa 17 December 2019, 1:00PM

The Oceania Football Confederation Executive Committee has welcomed the collaboration between Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) to join forces and submit an historic co-confederation bid to host the first-ever 32-nation FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. 

The bid by Australia and New Zealand – which has received the unified support of the Governments of Australia and New Zealand – promises to amplify women’s football in Asia and Oceania like never before as the two culturally and geographically aligned nations work ‘As One’ to deliver a truly inspired celebration of women’s football.

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

If successful, a co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand would deliver an unparalleled experience for players and fans alike, with world-class venues in both nations utilised as diverse and vibrant local communities welcome the world for FIFA’s global women’s showpiece.

OFC General Secretary Franck Castillo believes a FIFA World Cup in our region would provide a huge boost to the women’s game.

“It’s an exciting project and we fully endorse and support the bidding process between one of our member associations and our friends across the Tasman,” he said.

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.

“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,” Nikou said.

“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.

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

“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.

By Jotham Ulutoa 17 December 2019, 1:00PM

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