Australia and New Zealand are now in a three-horse race to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup after Brazil withdrew their bid.
The South American giants announced on Tuesday its withdrawal after it was deemed economic support from government and private entities could not be guaranteed.
In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said economic concerns related to the COVID-19 crisis were a primary factor in the bid being withdrawn.
“In view of the exceptional times experienced by the country and the world, CBF understands the cautious position of the Brazilian government, and of other public and private partners, which prevented them from formalising the commitments within the time or in the required manner,” the CBF said.
Brazil’s withdrawal means Australia and New Zealand are bidding to host the tournament along with Asian heavyweights Japan and another South American nation Colombia.
The winning bid will be decided by an online meeting of the FIFA council on June 25.
Japan, the 2011 Women’s World Cup winners, are the main rivals to Australia and New Zealand’s bid.
The Asian nation’s bid features eight stadiums, many of which are set to host matches for next year’s Olympic football tournaments.
Outsiders Colombia, who only formed a women’s league in 2017, are bidding to become the first South American nation to host the Women’s World Cup.
clipper
Roar Rookie
Don't know why they don't do this, Sydneysideliner - once Australia left, it was pointless and would hopefully mean the play off gets transferred.
Nick
Roar Guru
Fairly sure they've just sowed the soil for a Qatar announcement in 2023.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
AFC was always going to vote for Japan or at least be split with or without NZ being a part of the bid at least this way the AUS/NZ bid is guaranteed the OFC votes
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
having NZ as part of the bid guaranteed the OFC votes as AFC is at best going to be Split but more likely going to vote for Japan, You seem to hate New Zealand for some reason, AUS/NZ bid scored the highest overall score in the bid evaluation report with a 4.1/5 followed by Japan with 3.9/5 and Colombia with 2.8/5
Micko
Roar Rookie
In terms of what?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Australia go back to Oceania?! :shocked: You're dreaming buddy! :laughing:
Sydneysideliner
Roar Rookie
I'm struggling to find anything factual in that statement. Yes we did develop some better players for a few years in the mid/late-90s. The players we developed in the years in OFC before and after that golden developmental period were about the same as what we develop right now. And it certainly wasn't because we were in Oceania, it was in spite of that. The value we gain from participating in Asia is immeasurable. If anything, OFC should be absorbed into AFC and NZ can improve itself by competing regularly with professional Asian players.
Dumb
Guest
Why are we bidding for anything to do with FIFA? Let them take their tournaments elsewhere. They are corrupt. If we get this event then people will turn around and say Australia was bribing officials. Idiotic move.
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
Don't know what all this "we" is about considering you are a Kiwi. No Australian fan would seriously suggest going back to Oceania, the games against NZ weren't "epic," they were just the only opposition in the OFC that weren't totally incompetent. Frankly there isn't even real rivalry with NZ in Football that is worth even being nostalgic over. Few cared about playing them then and even less do now.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
there is also the NRL and Super Rugby to consider as well, SA Liberal Premier Steven Marshall initially said no to Adelaide being a WWC host city but backflipped due to public pressure, it has not been stated why the ACT did not want to be part of the bid but I'm guessing it's because of the Raiders and Brumbies, I think there are flaws in the AUS/NZ bid but we are lucky that the other bids are not amazing either
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
nah, don't buy that.
Beni Iniesta
Guest
Well, that's entirely logical. Look at a crowd comparison between Women's World Cup and the AFL. There's no way the Women's World Cup would, or should, get priority - but why would it even be played at the same grounds, surely it wouldn't? Hindmarsh Stadium and AAMI Park doesn't conflict with the AFL one bit.
NoMates
Guest
I still think this bid is a hint that Australia will go back to Oceania for the good of the game, we developed better players when we were in Oceania and had more players playing pro football in higher leagues then what we have now. Plus the games against New Zealands All Whites were epic.
Blood Dragon
Roar Rookie
I don't think the AUS/NZ bid will win but not for the reasons you have suggested besides timezones rather i think it will lose out because the fact the the ACT outright said no to being a part of the bid and SA having to be guilted into becoming a part of the bid would without show those voting that the bid is to divided at least in Australia also SA and VIC have stated that the Womens World Cup will not get Priority over the AFL in there states if selected and it's likely to be the same in NSW and QLD in terms of WWC vs NRL
Lionheart
Roar Rookie
Well I hope Australia get it. It will be great for our game and women's sport in Australia. I think NZ being part of Oceania and us competing against Japan in our own confederation makes it difficult.
DAVEC
Roar Rookie
be interesting to see what happens between both countries
lesterlike
Roar Rookie
It certainly helps, I would have considered Brazil the frontrunner but Australia's bid is still nothing spectacular. NZ doesn't add anything of value and the bid has far too many ovals, rectangular stadiums that don't meet FIFA standards and host cities with poor transport connections and accommodation facilities like Dunedin or Launceston. If FIFA were gonna pick anything in our unappealing timezone, they are going to go with Japan who has put forward a far better bid imo.