The next Women’s World Cup will be held in Australia and New Zealand in 2023. This was announced by FIFA today at the end of their committee meeting which took place via videoconference.

The joint candidacy presented by the two Federations received 22 of the 35 votes cast by the members of FIFA’s Board, while the Colombian candidacy received 13 votes. The 2023 edition will be the first with 32 teams competing and will also be the first to be hosted by Australia and New Zealand, as well as the first to be hosted by two federations.

“Women’s football is of crucial importance for FIFA”, stressed President Gianni Infantino, “so much so that the Council has decided to invest one billion dollars over the next four years into the development of this movement. We all saw the fantastic spectacle of last year’s World Cup in France that brought women’s football to a world stage. We want to keep it that way.” The news was welcomed with great satisfaction by the Azzurre’s head coach, Milena Bertolini: “They’ve chosen a venue,” she commented, “where women’s football has a very important role. My hope is that Australia will be a good omen, personally I have good memories.” Italy began their path at the World Cup in France against Australia last year.