Football Australia on Friday dismissed claims that the Women’s World Cup it will co-host next year with New Zealand could be shifted to satisfy European broadcasters and ensure better weather conditions.
The scenario was raised by French newspaper L’Equipe on Thursday, which said the sport’s governing body FIFA had informally approached “several” European football bodies to discuss the merits of moving the event closer to the southern hemisphere summer.
L’Equipe said lower-than-expected TV rights interest from European broadcasters was a key motivation, given matches would be played early morning for them and August was seen as an unfavourable month with people on vacation.
Football Australia said in a brief statement to AFP it was not planning for any change.
The Sydney Morning Herald cited a FIFA spokesperson with an almost identical comment, but added: “No changes to the dates of the competition are foreseen.”
The month-long tournament will take place in five Australian and four New Zealand cities. The draw is scheduled in Auckland on October 22.
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Originally published as Australia say no plans to shift 2023 Women’s World Cup
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