Australia and New Zealand football stadiums for a month

In the land of the kangaroos and in the land of the “long white cloud” – Australia and New Zealand – rugby is usually king. But these two countries are preparing to become, for a month, the center of the football planet. From July 20th to August 20th, they are welcome The ninth edition of the Women’s World Cup. Compared to the previous features, there are many new features.

This is the first time that two countries have hosted the international competition. Previous World Cups have been held in China in 1991 and 2007, in Sweden in 1995, in the United States in 1999 and 2003, in Germany in 2011, in Canada in 2015, and in France in 2019.

in France, The Americans won the Cup for the fourth time in their history – And for the second time in a row – after defeating the Dutch 2-0, including a penalty kick Megan Rapinoea US national team player.

More teams, more matches

This Australian New Zealand edition is also the first to welcome 32 teams through the group stage. A total of 64 matches will be played at ten different venues – six in Australia and four in New Zealand.

The decision was to increase the number of teams Announced by FIFA on 31 July 2019, in the wake of the World Cup organized in France, in order to “promote the development of women’s football.” The number of teams competing has grown steadily since the establishment of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 1991, which had 12 teams.

During the group stage, each group consists of four teams. The top two from each group will advance to the round of 16. The knockout stage will then begin. As usual, it is the host nations who will open the ball. New Zealand will face Norway in Auckland, at Eden Park, at 9am (Paris time). The meeting will be followed, at 12pm (still Paris time), by Australia, who play Ireland at Sydney’s Australia Stadium – which will also host the final of the tournament.

Read alsoWomen’s World Cup 2023: Schedule and all results

Video refereeing, fan zones, rewards

New features are also appearing in refereeing, notably the video assist (VAR). FIFA It is mentioned in an article posted on their website This video arbitration was already presented at the last Women’s World Cup in France. However, she insists, “the edition in Australia and New Zealand will bring together 19 VARs, including, for the first time, six women.”

In terms of bonuses paid to players – or “cash prizes” – Clement Goffin Founding partner From Footeuse Media, promoting the fact that they are “going to increase”, by amounts that are “incredible at the level of women’s football”.

For Clement Goffin, it is clearly a “pivotal World Cup” on a global scale soccer feminine. “The ‘cash prizes’ for the players will be enormous, so there is bound to be a sporting expectation that will be higher and higher.” On the other hand, “It is also the first time that the fan zones will be in Australia and New Zealand for the Women’s World Cup.”

“In terms of broadcasting, the competition will be broadcast all over the world. There have also been efforts in scheduling matches,” he says. “At the level of FIFA, there are things that have been organized to make this event a great event,” Clement Goffin concluded.

The tournament will end with a final between the two semi-final winners. It will take place on August 20 at 12 noon (Paris time).