The FIFA Women's World Cup is one of the most highly anticipated global sporting events, bringing together the best female football players from around the world to compete for the title of World Champion.
The next edition of the tournament is set to take place in 2023, and will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, marking the first time the event will be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
Here is everything you need to know about the upcoming FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
Brief history about FIFA Women's World Cup.
The first FIFA Women's World Cup took place in China in 1991. Twelve teams participated in the tournament, and the United States emerged as the champions by defeating Norway in the final.
The second edition of the Women's World Cup was held in Sweden in 1995, with Norway winning the title by defeating Germany. The tournament saw an increase in interest and attendance, showcasing the growing popularity of women's football. In 1999, the United States hosted the tournament, and it proved to be a landmark event for women's football The final between the United States and China at the Rose Bowl in California drew a record crowd of 90,185 spectators, and the United States won their second title.
The Women's World Cup expanded to 16 teams in 1999, and in 2003, the tournament was hosted by the United States once again. Germany emerged as champions, defeating Sweden in the final. China hosted the 2007 edition, and Germany won their second consecutive title by defeating Brazil in the final.
The 2011 Women's World Cup held in Germany brought further attention to the tournament, as Japan claimed their first-ever title by defeating the United States in a thrilling final. The tournament showcased the increasing competitiveness of women's football. In 2015, Canada hosted the tournament, and the United States emerged victorious by defeating Japan in the final, securing their third title.
The Women's World Cup expanded to 24 teams in 2015. The 2019 edition was hosted by France, and the United States claimed their fourth title by defeating the Netherlands in the final. The tournament set new records in terms of viewership, showcasing the global growth and popularity of women's football.
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Where will 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup be hosted?
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. The decision to award the tournament to these two countries was made in June 2020, following a bidding process that involved nine countries.
The tournament will be held across nine host cities, with ten stadiums in total, and is scheduled to take place from July 20 to August 20, 2023.
The ten host stadiums for 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup will be:
Australia
- Accor Stadium and Allianz Stadium (Sydney)
- Suncorp Stadium (Brisbane)
- AAMI Park (Melbourne)
- HBF Park (Perth)
- Hindmarsh Stadium (Adelaide)
New Zealand
- Eden Park (Auckland)
- Sky Stadium (Wellington)
- Forsyth Barr Stadium (Dunedin)
- Waikato Stadium (Hamilton)
Which teams will be Participating at the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand?
Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China PR, Colombia, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea Republic, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norway, Panama, Philippines, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, USA, Vietnam and Zambia.
FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 groups
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Group A
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Philippines
- Switzerland
Group B
- Australia
- Canada
- Nigeria
- Republic of Ireland
Group C
- Costa Rica
- Japan
- Spain
- Zambia
Group D
- China
- Denmark
- England
- Haiti
Group E
- Netherlands
- Portugal
- United States
- Vietnam
Group F
- Brazil
- France
- Jamaica
- Panama
Group G
- Argentina
- Italy
- South Africa
- Sweden
Group H
- Colombia
- Germany
- South Korea
- Morocco
These teams will compete against each other for the ultimate prize in women's football – the FIFA Women's World Cup trophy.
The tournament promises to be a thrilling and fiercely contested event, with teams from all over the world vying for the chance to lift the prestigious trophy.
Which Format will 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup follow?
A total of 32 teams will compete in the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, up from 24 in the previous edition.
The teams will be divided into eight groups of four, with the top two teams from each group advancing to the knockout stage.
The knockout stage will consist of a round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final.
The final will be held at Stadium Australia in Sydney on August 20, 2023.
Which teams are favourites to win 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup?
The United States women's national team has won the tournament a record four times and will be one of the favorites to win again in 2023. Other top contenders include Germany, Japan, and the host nations, Australia and New Zealand. Other strong teams include France, England, Canada, and the Netherlands. It is also worth noting that several emerging football nations are making great strides in the women's game and could potentially cause upsets during the tournament.
Preparations
The co-hosts are making significant investments to ensure that the tournament is a success. Both countries have been working to improve their football infrastructure, including the construction and refurbishment of stadiums, training facilities, and accommodation for teams and fans.
The tournament is also expected to have a significant impact on the local economy, generating millions of dollars in revenue from tourism and related industries.
In addition, FIFA has been working closely with the co-hosts to ensure that the tournament is accessible and inclusive.
Impact and Significance of the tournament
The FIFA Women's World Cup has become increasingly popular and significant in recent years, with growing interest and investment in women's football around the world.
The 2019 tournament in France set new records for attendance and viewership, with an estimated 1.12 billion viewers tuning in globally to watch the tournament.
The 2023 tournament is expected to be even bigger and more impactful, with the potential to break new records and further raise the profile of women's football.
Conclusion
The 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup promises to be a truly global event, bringing together the best female football players from around the world to compete for the title of World Champion.
With a total of 32 teams, nine host cities, and ten stadiums, the tournament is set to be one of the biggest and most impactful sporting events of the year. Whether you are a die-hard fan or a casual spectator, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 is not to be missed.