ZURICH: FIFA has already started planning for the Women’s World Cup 2023 by announcing the opening of its bidding process for member associations on Tuesday.
The associations have been given a deadline of 15 March to submit a completed expression of interest form to FIFA and 16 April to finish and submit all registration formalities. Nearly a year later, in March 2020, the FIFA Council is expected to appoint the host(s) of the 2023 edition.
“Interest in women’s football continues to grow and following this summer’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, it is certain to reach an all-time high. FIFA believes that women’s football still has even more potential for growth and we look forward to receiving hosting submissions for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, to see how potential host countries will aim to promote the ultimate competition in women’s football, and create a sustainable legacy that will inspire upcoming generations of young girls and women to get involved in the game,” FIFA women’s football CEO Sarai Bareman said.
Since 1991, the FIFA Women’s World Cup has been played every four years. Throughout the past decades, the level of play has dramatically improved, media attention has increased exponentially, and the game has grown in popularity as confirmed by the fact that more than 750 million television viewers watched the 2015 edition of FIFA’s flagship women’s competition.
The tournament plays a key strategic role as part of FIFA’s efforts to double the number of female players to 60 million by 2026. The 2019 edition is set to take place this summer in France.
