Launceston is set to host World Cup football after Australia and New Zealand were successful in their joint bid to host the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The historic trans-Tasman bid beat out a bid from Columbia 22 to 13 at the FIFA Council meeting in Sweden this morning.
Launceston's UTAS stadium was nominated as one of 12 playing sites in the bid.
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Liberal senator for Tasmania and Minister for Youth and Sport Richard Colbeck said the successful bid would bring football fans from all over the world to Tasmania.
"It will be great for tourism and local economies from the State's north down to Hobart and it will help elevate the women's game like never before," he said.
"This will be 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.
"Tasmania will now play an important part in that."
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said they are hoping to build on the success of the 2019 World Cup in France.
"We have and will organise the best ever Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and New Zealand, that is our ambition," he said.
Football Tasmania chief executive Matt Bulkeley said the result was a huge coup for the state.
"Witnessing the world's best female footballers play in Launceston will be inspiring for women and girls across Tasmania," he said.
"It is likely to result in a significant surge in interest in local competition and that is something to celebrate."
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Jackson Worthington
General news reporter with a special interest in social justice, the economy and family violence. Jackson.Worthington@austcommunitymedia.com.au
General news reporter with a special interest in social justice, the economy and family violence. Jackson.Worthington@austcommunitymedia.com.au
