Australia will launch a bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which will be fully supported by the federal government.
The 24-team tournament could be primarily hosted by either Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra according to a News Corp Australia report.
The Matildas, ranked eighth in the world, would gain automatic qualification for the tournament and would be amongst the favourites to lift the trophy after making the quarter-finals at the last two World Cups.
The federal government has pledged $1 million in initial funding and will commit a further $4 million in December if Australia is deemed a reasonable hosting prospect.
“I am delighted we are supporting a bid for the 2023 Women’s World Cup,” Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull told The Herald Sun.
“The Matildas are wonderful role models for young women and girls right across Australia.
“It would be fantastic to have the Matildas playing to win the Women’s World Cup on home soil.”
FFA chairman Steven Lowy said hosting the biggest women’s tournament would give the Matildas a great opportunity to lift the trophy.
“This is the largest, most prestigious and most competitive contest in a women’s sport globally,” Lowy said.
“We want to win the right to host it and then win the tournament itself.”
AR
Guest
Quite extraordinary. This wonderful announcement is fantastic news - for the sport and for Australia generally. But all Middie and Nemmie and others can do is obsess over what the AFL will do or say.
AR
Guest
"That’s what happens when you are seen as an obstructionist, insular and petty minded organisation." Yes, as opposed to the FFA - a visionary powerhouse with community-mindfulness and financial muscle to boot. The FFA set a high bar for all those other worthless sports to follow.
punter
Guest
Wonderful news!!!!
punter
Guest
Well done Mid, I've always enjoyed my visits to central Coast stadium.
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Well done but they forgot to show the sauce bottles :) Been to Rijeka and must get down to Kantrida one day. Bucket list.
Waz
Guest
Get rid of the source bottles and you'll make the top 10 !!!!
Midfielder
Guest
AZ Of the stadiums you mentioned only two don't have alternative venues for NRL and SR teams to play at. AMMI Park and Canberra Stadium... and there is still Nib in Perth which only has a Super Rugby side and Rugby plays there internationals in June / July so no big deal... and maybe even the Rugby side won't exist that much longer...
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
Sports followers watching quality. Not the A League
Marc
Guest
@ Martyn Friday 9th June - the world game and Australia's most popular team sport 96k Saturday 10th June - afl 27k Both at the same ground.
Martyn50
Roar Rookie
Thursday world game vs Saudia Arabia 30,000. Australian game next day 45,000. Both held at same ground.
Chris
Guest
Nemesis I agree. Whilst I live in Sydney and would like to see games there, its been proven time and time again that those gin swilling fogies on the SCG board cant provide what is required.
AZ_RBB
Guest
France 2019 will be using 7-8 venues. The breakdown capacity wise adopted to Aus - One 40k+ - SFS or Lang Park Three 25k+ - Parra, AAMI, Gold Coast Three 25k- - Gosford, Canberra, Adelaide All but 2 are used regularly by NRL teams and Rugby teams. It'll take a lot of work with the NRL to make it work. Thankfully the NRL and Super Rugby quieten down in June due to representative games.
Nemesis
Guest
SFS should not be on the list. The playing surface is rubbish & the capacity is too big for what we need.
Sydneysider
Guest
I think the SFS will be on that list Nemesis. I forgot about Bruce Stadium in Canberra. Good luck to the FFA. I hope we get to host it.
Nick Symonds
Guest
Canberra should be eminently capable after they did such a good job as hosts last time. "The last Women’s World Cup was held in Canberra in 2015 and reached a global television audience of 764 million" https://tenplay.com.au/news/national/june-2017/australia-launches-bid-for-2023-fifa-womens-world-cup Channel Ten...hmm.
Midfielder
Guest
Just a bit of bragging .... You guys all realise that the Central Coast Stadium is rated one of the 12 most beautiful stadiums in the world. Check out the list and No 11 is you know know where.... and no other team... go Coast.. https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/12-most-beautiful-football-stadiums-world
Nick Symonds
Guest
"The 24-team tournament could be primarily hosted by either Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth or Canberra according to reports." http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/football/australia-to-bid-for-womens-2023-world-cup/news-story/1e028c9a801b01862f15721f23051502 No mention of any other cities. Still a good opportunity for a new stadium in Adelaide possibly. Something like Opel Arena in Mainz should do. Capacity 34,000 (League Matches) - 27,000 (International Matches) Cost - € 60 million in 2011
Midfielder
Guest
The AFL would have no say what so ever ... not even in the conversation ... as I said Union and League will not oppose they did not last time and would equally share in any stadium upgrades.
Midfielder
Guest
Here are 7 suggestions . OLD ... Suncorp or Gold Coast ... league and union could play at the other. Newcastle / Central Coast .... Central Coast no need to move, Newcastle games couls be played at CC. Moore Park .... move to Homebush Parramatta ... move to Homebush or Penrith Canberra ... play a number of home games early and late in the season. AMMI park... play a number of home games early and late in the season... or move to lakeside stadium. Hindmarsh.... nothing to move. Nib... maybe nothing to move but the same play a number of home games early and late in the season.
Nemesis
Guest
WC2015 in Canada they only had 6 venues, so we definitely don't need any of the abysmal, low-quality cricket ovals. I'd say: Brisbane Suncorp: Final Parramatta: Opening Newcastle: Hunter: Melb: AAMI Park: Canberra: Bruce Stadium Gosford Maybe Perth: NIB (Group only) Adelaide: Hindmarsh (Group only)