SYDNEY/ZURICH: Prime Ministers Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand and Scott Morrison of Australia will be leading the final presentation to FIFA Council tomorrow, ahead of its vote to award the hosting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.

The virtual presentation also features New Zealand Football president and FIFA Council Member Johanna Wood along with Chris Nikou, the  Football Federation Australia president, and captains of both national teams, Sam Kerr of the Matildas and Ali Riley of the Football Ferns.

Opposition comes from Colombia after the withdrawals of Brazil and then Japan.

Australia-New Zealand 2023 would be the first co-hosted, cross-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup and the first Women’s World Cup in the Asia-Pacific region.

The bid received the highest overall average score of 4.1 out of 5 from FIFA’s evaluation report, which also described it as ‘the most favourable commercial proposition’.

Ardern said: “We are leaders not only in women’s football, but in the journey to achieve gender equality both on and off the pitch. We have achieved equality in pay for our women’s national teams and this is something we are very proud of.

“This tournament will provide an opportunity to grow women’s football across all Asia-Pacific, and beyond, and we will shine a light on the women’s game like never before.”

Morrison added:“Being home to over 200 cultures, all 32 teams will experience that feeling of playing in front of a home crowd, with the biggest matches played in the biggest stadiums. Australians and New Zealanders are passionate about our sport and our football and it would be an honour to host the largest women’s sporting event in the world.”

Wood said: “A vote for Australia-New Zealand tomorrow is not just about making history. It is also about opening a huge new frontier for the game, and As One, we are ready to host a FIFA Women’s World Cup™ that will set records.

“This would be the best attended FIFA Women’s World Cup™ ever – with more than 1.5m spectators – and record commercial revenues and broadcast audiences because of our unique location across two continents and four time-zones. All this means a huge financial boost for the women’s game.”

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