Focus Live: Auckland to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023
New Zealand and Australia will host the 2023 Women's Football World Cup after their joint-bid received the most votes overnight.
The trans-Tasman neighbours beat Colombia to win hosting rights for the showpiece event after all other contenders had dropped out of the race to leave just the two bids remaining.
The successful bid received a technical score of 4.1 points out of five in FIFA's evaluation report and that swayed the 35 members to vote in favour of the joint hosts over the South Americans.
The event will be the first to be held across two confederations - the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and the Oceania Football Confederation.
There are 37 FIFA Council members but only 35 voted, as New Zealand's Johanna Wood and Colombia's Ramon Jesurun were ineligible.
FIFA Women's World Cup bid launch - NZ Football CEO Andrew Pragnell iwth, Michele Cox, Football Ferns players Claudia Bunge and Rosie White, Barbara Cox at Eden Park. Photosport.
Of the available votes, nine were from UEFA, seven from Asia, seven from Africa, five from North and Central America, four from South America and two from Oceania. FIFA Council president Gianni Infantino held the other vote.
Following Japan's withdrawal, the Australia and New Zealand's joint bid consolidated its voting power in Asia, with FIFA Council vice-president Sheikh Salman Bin Ibrahim Al-Khalifa pledging the AFC's support. Oceania had already backed the joint bid.
You're looking at the HOSTS OF THE @fifawomensworldcup 2023!!! 🎉🇳🇿🇦🇺🏟🏆Couldn't have done it without everyone's votes, thank you all so much. Welcome football fans, to the beautiful southern hemisphere 🌏⚽️ #AsOnehttps://t.co/Gc3qQnT6eA
Earlier reports from Europe indicated the majority of UEFA's nine Council members could vote for Colombia, which was also set to be supported by its fellow CONMEBOL members.
The expanded 32-team tournament - eight more than the 2019 edition in France - is expected to open in July 2023.
Players of New Zealand huddle on the pitch prior to the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France group E match between Cameroon and New Zealand. Photo / Getty Images
The winning bid proposed 12 cities with seven in Australia and five in New Zealand. It includes the main stadium used for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
— New Zealand Football 🇳🇿 (@NZ_Football) June 25, 2020
After a successful World Cup last year, FIFA wants the next women's tournament to further establish its independence from the men, and show it is commercially attractive.
At least $100 million is expected to be paid by the governing body in 2023 - for prize money, team preparation costs and to clubs releasing players for the tournament - FIFA president Gianni Infantino pledged last year in France.
Ahead of the bid the Australia-New Zealand team left nothing to chance, with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern personally hitting the phones in an attempt to secure the tournament.
Ardern and Australian counterpart Scott Morrison both featured in the campaign's final presentation, which was seen before the vote.
Auckland's Sky Tower and The Sydney Opera House and were lit up on Thursday to celebrate the joint bid.
New Zealand Herald football writer Michael Burgess wraps up the Auckland FC's dramatic A-League semi-final first leg in Melbourne and looks ahead to Saturday's match.
