Australia, New Zealand to host 2023 Women's World Cup

Lights of women football players are projected on the Sydney Opera House as part of a campaign for Australia and New Zealand's joint bid for hosting 2023 women's World Cup, in Sydney, Australia, June 25, 2020. /VCG

Australia and New Zealand will host the 2023 Women's World Cup after the countries' joint bid was chosen by FIFA on Thursday.

The overwhelming favorites won ahead of their only rival Colombia, with Japan having withdrawn its own bid earlier in the week after they were ranked below the joint bid by FIFA's evaluation report, and Brazil, Argentina, South Africa and a joint Korean proposal already having fallen by the wayside.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison and New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern have issued a joint statement, saying that "The 2023 event will be the largest, and no doubt the best, Women's World Cup that has ever been staged."

It added, "This tournament will further inspire our next generation and provide the platform for them to compete on the world stage."

FIFA delegates during a virtual FIFA Council Meeting to decide the host of the 2023 Women's World Cup in Zurich, Switzerland, June 25, 2020. /VCG

Both countries have considerable experience in hosting major international sporting events, including two Olympic Games held in Australia and the two neighbors have succesfully jointly stage Rugby World Cup and Cricket World Cup in recent years.

"The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand will be ground-breaking in many ways," said a delighted Chris Nikou, president of Football Federation Australia (FFA).

"Not only will it be the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup and the first ever FIFA Women's World Cup in the Asia-Pacific region, but we will unlock the huge potential for growth in women's football in the Asia-Pacific region."

Australian and Kiwi women footballers celebrate in Sydney after the countries won the bid to host the 2023 Women's World Cup, June 26, 2020. /VCG

The 2023 tournament is set to be the first 32-team women's World Cup, up from 24 at last year's finals in France, which was won by the United States.

The ninth women's World Cup will see games played in 13 venues across 12 cities in July and August 2023, with the opening match at Eden Park in Auckland and the final in Sydney.

Seven cities in Australia will host games, and five in New Zealand.

Thursday's vote came at a video-conference meeting of the 37 members of the FIFA Council as football and global sport in general struggles to get back on its feet in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

(With input from agencies)