Australia, New Zealand promise "best" FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023

File photo taken on July 7, 2019 shows Golden Boot winner Megan Rapinoe of the United States celebrating during the awarding ceremony of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France. Rapinoe led the U.S. to glory at the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup in France, and was named FIFA Best Women's Player for 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)

**Australia, New Zealand promise "best" FIFA Women's World Cup in 2023.
**

CANBERRA, June 26 (Xinhua) -- The leaders of Australia and New Zealand have welcomed FIFA's decision to award hosting rights for the 2023 Women's World Cup to their countries.

The joint hosting bid beat out that from Colombia by 22-13 votes at a FIFA Council in Switzerland in the early hours of Friday morning Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST).

It will be the first time in history that a World Cup has been hosted by two countries from different confederations, with Australia representing the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and New Zealand the Oceania Football Confederation (OFC).

File photo taken on July 7, 2019 shows players of the United States celebrating during the awarding ceremony of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup at Stade de Lyon in Lyon, France. The United States national women's soccer team successfully defended their FIFA World Cup title on July 7, beating the Netherlands 2-0 in the final of the 2019 edition. Forward Megan Rapinoe was named the tournament's best player and top scorer. (Xinhua/Chen Yichen)

In a joint statement on Friday morning, Prime Ministers Scott Morrison of Australia and Jacinda Ardern of New Zealand described it as a "landmark" decision for women's sport.

"The 2023 event will be the largest, and no doubt the best, Women's World Cup that has ever been staged," they said.

"This is a huge positive for the footballing and sporting industries on both sides of the Tasman as we recover and rebuild from COVID-19.

"As sporting nations, we have had a long history of producing some of the best female footballers in the world and this tournament will further inspire our next generation and provide the platform for them to compete on the world stage."

Players of the United States celebrate with the trophy during the awarding ceremony of the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup after the final between the United States and the Netherlands in Lyon, France, on July 7, 2019. (Xinhua/Ding Xu)

Announcing the decision, FIFA President Gianni Infantino hailed the joint bid.

"It will be even more global and have much positive impact on the development of women's football," he said.

The 2023 Women's World Cup is scheduled to take place from July to August, with 32 teams to take part for the first time. ■