ZURICH (AP) — Australia and New Zealand will co-host the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
The island neighbors beat Colombia 22-13 on Thursday in a vote by the FIFA Council.
The expanded 32-team tournament — eight more than the 2019 edition in France — is expected to open in July 2023.
The winning bid proposed 12 cities with seven in Australia and five in New Zealand. It includes the main stadium used for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
After a successful World Cup last year, FIFA wants the next women’s tournament to further establish its independence from the men, and show it is commercially attractive.