Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau to host draw and opening match of the FIFA Women World Cup, Australia/ New Zealand 2023.
Teams will find out on 22 October 2022 where and who they will be playing as excitement builds with qualification underway around the world
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura and New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson both announced that Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau will host the Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™️ on Saturday, 22 October 2022.
Taking place in Aotea Centre, the Draw will reveal the match fixtures for the 32 teams competing in the ninth edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in just over a year.
The globally televised draw show will include cultural performances and insights into the five Australian and four New Zealand Host Cities that will welcome teams and football fans, as well as many surprises.
Speaking at the announcement in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau, Minister Robertson – who is also the tournament’s lead minister – said it would be a real privilege to have the Draw for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Aotearoa.
“Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau will not only host the tournament’s opening ceremony and opening match featuring the Football Ferns on 20 July 2023, but will now also host the draw.
“The draw is an internationally significant event in its own right. It provides an opportunity for New Zealand and Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau to showcase their culture and traditions to a global audience.
“Today’s announcement also starts to create excitement as the draw reveals which teams we’ll be hosting in New Zealand.”
FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura stated: “Preparations are well underway in Australia and New Zealand to welcome the world’s largest women’s single-sport event. The official draw in October marks an important milestone for teams and fans in the countdown to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023.
“We are excited about the influence and potential of this tournament to inspire and encourage more girls and women to get involved in football and we look forward to the draw setting the stage for the FIFA Women’s World Cup to reach Beyond Greatness.”
An exciting few months of qualifiers lie ahead for fans before the draw takes place. Teams from across Africa, Central and North America, South America and Oceania will secure qualification berths for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 through several confederation tournaments taking place from July to October.
Ten teams will also compete for the final three slots at the Play-Off Tournament for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 next year.
