RIO DE JANEIRO: Brazil has quit the race to win host rights to the Women’s World Cup in 2023.

The Brazilian confederation has said the government did not consider it wise to offer financial guarantees in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic.

Brazil will now support Colombia’s proposal, which is up against Japan and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand to host the 32-team tournament.

FIFA Council will decide on the host at its next video conference meeting on June 25.

A statenent said: “Because of the fiscal and economic austerity brought on by the Covid-19 pandemic, [the government] thought it would not be recommended to right now sign the guarantees asked for by FIFA.”

Brazil has hosted a number of major international sporting competitions in recent years, including the men’s World Cup in 2014, the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games and the Copa America in 2019. But the CBF felt it was an outsider to host yet another big event.

Despite denials from President Jair Bolsonaro, the country has been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, with more than 35,000 deaths and at least 700,000 confirmed infections.

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