FIFA have released their Bid Evaluation Report for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 and the joint bid from Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF) has produced the leading score.

Following FIFA’s inspection visit in February 2020, the Bid Evaluation Report – published today – confirms that FFA and NZF would host a technically strong tournament across all key areas.

The Report confirms that the Australia-New Zealand bid received the highest overall average score of 4.1 out of 5 and was “the most commercially favourable proposition”, taking into consideration the financial commitments made by the governments of both countries towards the operational costs of the tournament.

Alongside excellent infrastructure, praised by the Report, the travel hub concept and player-centric plans would also minimise travel times, while the modern stadia and high-quality football facilities would ensure players can perform at their best.

Through innovative match scheduling across four time zones, the As One Bid will deliver matches at times favourable to broadcasters in established as well as emerging markets.

Australia and New Zealand’s long history of working together on major events and their close inter-governmental co-ordination in key areas such as security and transport, mean that the competition will be delivered seamlessly.

FIFA also assessed the bids of the Colombian Football Association (2.8) and Japan Football Association (3.9). The Brazilian Football Association withdrew their bid on Monday, June 8.

The FIFA Council will vote to decide the hosts of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 on June 25. The 2023 edition will be the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to feature 32 teams.

Report reaction

OFC President Lambert Maltock said it was great to see the joint bid was on the right path.

“OFC is pleased to see the Australia-New Zealand bid score highly in the FIFA Bid Evaluation Report and believe if they were to co-host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 it would be a great step forward for women’s football in our region,” he said.

“Co-hosting this event would help drive substantial interest in the women’s game in the Pacific and Asia. Australia and New Zealand would provide a safe and welcoming environment, where our many cultures would warmly welcome the world in 2023.”

NZF President Johanna Wood said their bid was aided by New Zealand and Australia’s track record of co-hosting other sporting events.

“With technical excellence, commercial certainty and a historic tournament of firsts, Australia-New Zealand offers FIFA a unique opportunity to move the dial for women’s football. We have proven this before and can be trusted to achieve this again,” Wood said.

“In addition, we are nations proud of our commitment to equality and fairness and would embody a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 built on common humanity through football.”

FFA President Chris Nikou was also thrilled with the findings of FIFA’s Report.

“We are two nations from two confederations, united in proposing a historic and exciting step forward for world football. It will be a tournament of firsts. The first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup, the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first ever to be held in the southern hemisphere. As One, we believe this represents a compelling offer to the global football family.”

FIFA has developed a robust evaluation model for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 bidding process that comprises the following key components:

  • A technical evaluation: an assessment of the main infrastructure and commercial criteria, applying an evaluation system established by FIFA
  • A risk assessment: an assessment of the risks associated with certain criteria, including but not limited to human rights and sustainability, applying a specific rating
  • A description: a summary of relevant information provided in the bid, such as the hosting vision and strategy, highlighting potential issues (without a technical evaluation or risk assessment)
  • The methodology and application of the scoring system used for the technical evaluation are specified in the Overview of the scoring system for the technical evaluation of bids

To review the Bid Evaluation Report please click here. For more information on the Bidding Process for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 please click here.

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