Victoria supports Australia’s bid to secure the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

November 20, 2019

Victoria has become the fourth state – alongside NSW, QLD and SA to support Australia’s quest to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the largest women’s sporting event in the world.

Victorian Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula today joined Matildas’ stars Jenna McCormick and Laura Alleway at AAMI Park, confirming that the 2023 World Cup bid led by Football Federation Australia (FFA) would include plans to play five games at the Melbourne venue.

Football Federation Australia Chair Chris Nikou noted that “Victoria is a world leader in delivering major sporting tournaments and it makes perfect sense that they are part of our bid to host the world’s largest women’s sporting event here in Australia.”

The ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the largest ever with 32 teams to play 64 games over a five-week period in July/August. The 2019 World Cup held in France comprised 52 matches and a global TV audience of more than 63 million tuned in to watch the USA defeat the Netherlands in the final.

The total tournament broadcast audience for France 2019 was estimated at one billion – underlining the potential benefits for Melbourne and Victoria if Australia was to secure hosting rights.

Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, South Africa and South Korea/North Korea have confirmed they will also bid for the 2023 World Cup – FIFA is expected to confirm the host in May 2020.

The Victorian Government is backing sporting opportunities for women and girls at grassroots and elite levels, including securing cricket’s 2020 ICC T20 World Cup final for the MCG on 8th March – International Women’s Day.

The Government has invested more than $850 million in community sport and recreation facilities since November 2014, including building female friendly facilities across the state.

The 2023 FIFA World Cup bid builds on strong momentum in women’s soccer in Victoria and Australia, with FFA recently announcing prizemoney parity for the Matildas and Socceroos.

McCormick and Alleway will join their Melbourne Victory W-League teammates in South Korea this month for games against top teams from China, Japan and the host nation in the inaugural AFC Women’s Club Championship.

Reigning W-League premier Victory will represent the league and the state with the aid of a $10,000 sponsorship awarded by the Government’s trade arm Global Victoria.

Minister Pakula advised that “Melbourne loves putting on a show and the FIFA World Cup is as big as it gets in women’s sport.

“Major events and sport are synonymous with Victoria – we are proud to be playing our role with Football Federation Australia in the bid to win the rights to host what will be an amazing month on the global calendar.”

Image of Matildas' Jenna McCormick

13th November 2019 - Victorians urged to fill the MCG for Women’s T20 World Cup final

12th November 2019 - South Australia support 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

30th September 2019 - Queensland Government backs 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

23rd September 2019 - Iranian authorities advise FIFA that women will be able to enter venues to watch football matches

2nd August 2019 - FIFA Council approves expanded 32-team Women’s World Cup for 2023

24th May 2019 - FFA looks for significant Federal Government backing for 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup bid

21st May 2019 - FFA launches bid to host 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup

18th December 2018 - Football Federation Australia launches pre World Cup women’s tournament

20th November 2018 - Chris Nikou elected as FFA’s new chairman

28th August 2018 - FFA promotes former Matilda to participation management role

6th February 2018 - Federal Government provides $4 million for FFA’s Womens World Cup bid

13th June 2017 - Australia to bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

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