Launceston Cut from Women’s World Cup Hosts

Media release – FIFA, 31 March 2021

FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Host Cities and Stadiums announced

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 took an important and exciting step today with the announcement of the 9 Host Cities and 10 stadiums in Australia and New Zealand that will host matches during the tournament.

With just over two years to go until some of the best players in the world take to the field in Australia and New Zealand, the Host City announcement represents a major milestone for many football fans and players around the world, as well as in the preparations for the next FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 – which will be the first-ever co-hosted FIFA Women’s World Cup and the first edition to feature 32 teams.

The Host Cities and stadiums for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 are:

• Adelaide – Hindmarsh Stadium

• Auckland / Tāmaki Makaurau – Eden Park

• Brisbane – Brisbane Stadium

• Dunedin / Ōtepoti – Dunedin Stadium

• Hamilton / Kirikiriroa – Waikato Stadium

• Melbourne – Melbourne Rectangular Stadium

• Perth – Perth Rectangular Stadium

• Sydney – Stadium Australia and Sydney Football Stadium

• Wellington / Te Whanganui-a-Tara – Wellington Stadium

In addition to revealing the Host Cities and stadiums, FIFA has also announced today that Eden Park in Auckland will host the opening match of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 with Stadium Australia in Sydney selected to host the Final.

Both Australia and New Zealand will also host one semi-final each with the full match schedule for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 to be announced later this year.

Speaking on the selection of the Host Cities for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, Gianni Infantino, FIFA President, said:

“The appointment of the 9 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.

“Building on the incredible success of France 2019 both on and off the pitch, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and 9 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.”

Chris Nikou, Football Australia President, said:

“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.”

Johanna Wood, President of New Zealand Football, said:

“It is a privilege to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 with Australia and we look forward to welcoming the world’s best athletes and their supporters to Aotearoa New Zealand.”

“We have and will continue to work with our partners to deliver the biggest, most exciting and best tournament to date. The legacy of FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 starts now and will go on to leave a lasting impression on women’s sport across both countries and the wider Asia-Pacific region.”

The selection of the Host Cities and stadiums follows a thorough and comprehensive process over the last 8-months conducted by FIFA, together with the two host associations, which included a series of virtual workshops and one-to-one workshops with all candidate host cities and stadiums, as well as an in-depth analysis of the Host City and stadium infrastructure and facilities, training sites and accommodation.

Featured image courtesy FIFA.

David O’Byrne MP, Shadow Minister for Sport, 1 April 2021

Women’s World Cup failure a massive own goal

Tasmanian Labor is disappointed Launceston has been unsuccessful in its bid to host games at the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Shadow Minister for Sport David O’Byrne said this is another State Government failure.

“Labor is disappointed Launceston has been unsuccessful in its Women’s World Cup bid,” Mr O’Byrne said.

“The State Government clearly did not do enough to ensure this once in a generation event would be played in Tasmania.

“This event would have brought significant benefits to the state, with the international exposure we could have seen unmatched by many other sporting events.

“This is a massive own goal for Peter Gutwein, who has previously stated his intention for Tasmania to have a team in Australia’s national soccer competition.

“It is not often Tasmania has the chance to host global sporting events and Tasmanians have a right to be angry at the State Government for this failure.”