AFF Backs Australia, NZ Bid to Co-Host 2023 Women's World Cup Hosts

KUALA LUMPUR, June 17 (Bernama) -- The ASEAN Football Federation (AFF) has given its full support to Australia and New Zealand to be joint hosts for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. AFF president Major General Khiev Sameth said the regional governing body was confident that the Football Federation Australia (FFA) and New Zealand Football (NZF), in cooperation with their respective governments, would deliver an extraordinary tournament to the world if their bid was successful. “We are confident that Australia and New Zealand will fulfil their promises and be the perfect hosts for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023. The FFA and NZF have our full support,” Sameth said in a statement issued by AFF on Wednesday. The AFF made its pledge for the joint bid by the two countries during its virtual fifth council meeting on Tuesday. Sameth pointed out that Australia and New Zealand had successfully hosted various international tournaments over the years, such as the Under-20 World Cup in 1993 and 2015; 2000 Sydney Olympics; 2011 Rugby World Cup; 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup; and 2015 Asian Cup. “The people in Australia and New Zealand love sports and were extremely supportive when major sporting events were held in their countries. Among other things, their exceptional organisational capabilities and capacities to deliver memorable experiences for the participants, officials and fans have been well documented,” Sameth asserted. He also revealed that AFF would offer its assistance and support for the joint bid, which will be decided by FIFA later this month. Besides the joint bid of Australia and New Zealand, Colombia and Japan have reportedly submitted their respective bids as well. -- BERNAMA