Australian football officials are "using the hype and excitement" around the World Cup to launch a bid to stage the Women's World Cup in five years, according to Phil Rothfield of the Brisbane COURIER-MAIL. The event could draw a "global TV audience of billions" Oct. '23. ANZ Stadium, Allianz and Parramatta Stadium would "all be completed in time to host games." Newcastle and Central Coast would "also be considered depending on the investment from the NSW government and Destinations NSW." The event would "create a sporting bidding war" between Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and Sydney to host major games including the final. Football Federation Australia will compete against nations including Colombia, South Africa, Japan and Brazil to stage the event. The lobbying has begun in Moscow. FIFA execs are "fully aware of the extraordinary popularity" of the Socceroos and the Matildas on the global stage. FFA CEO David Gallop said, "To be in Russia and see the way the cultures of the world descend on the stadiums, fan sites and city centers makes me super excited about the prospect of Australia hosting the WWC" (COURIER-MAIL, 6/23).
