France has been awarded the hosting rights for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2019 and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup 2018 ahead of South Korea, which was also in the running.
The two bid teams were represented by French FA President Noël Le Graët and Korea FA President Chung Mong-gyu.
The announcement followed a unanimous decision taken by the FIFA ExCo on Thursday.
Initially, five countries declared their interest in hosting the events -- England, France, South Korea, New Zealand and South Africa (FIFA). YONHAP reported South Korea "came up short."
South Korea "was aiming to become the first country to have held every major FIFA tournament." It previously hosted the 2001 Confederations Cup, the 2002 World Cup -- with Japan as a co-host -- and the 2007 U-17 World Cup. It will also stage the 2017 FIFA U-20 World Cup for the men.
South Korea pushed its case "by arguing that it was Asia’s turn to stage the tournament." After China hosted it in '07, the event went to Germany in '11 and will be in Canada in '15.
France, which has not had a FIFA event for the past decade, "tried to highlight the superior quality and rising popularity of women’s football in the country" (YONHAP, 3/20)
