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Western Australia Latest State To Support World Cup 2023 Bid

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Western Australian Premier, Mark McGowan, has announced the state’s support of Australia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 bid, becoming the fifth Australian state to support Football Federation Australia (FFA)’s bid.

The announcement comes just in time before the final submission is due to FIFA, adding to commitments from New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and South Australia announced throughout the year.

Premier McGowan said the commitment from the Western Australian Government comes with a partnership with FFA to host at least two fixtures for the Caltex Socceroos in March 2020 and two guaranteed World Cup qualifiers in 2020 and 2021.

“The WA Government is very excited at the prospect of being part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023,” McGowan said.

“We have also partnered with FFA to secure at least two Socceroos games in Perth, including two guaranteed World Cup qualifiers next year and in 2021.

“The benefits to our state will be significant, in terms of having a major economic impact on and providing a massive increase in exposure to the rest of the world,” he said.

FFA chief operating officer, Mark Falvo, said the WA Government’s support for women’s and men’s soccer over the next few years is set to inspire fans from Bunbury to Broome.

“FFA is delighted that the Premier and people of WA share our vision to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup to Australia,” Falvo said.

“Some of the great Westfield Matildas, including current stars Sam Kerr and Lydia Williams, hail from WA, and hosting matches, training, and other events in and around Perth in 2023 would ensure that WA is part of a truly global celebration of football.

“It is also fantastic that the Caltex Socceroos are set to return to the west consistently over the coming years.

“Five men’s ‘A’ internationals have been held in Perth since 1975, and with the WA Government’s commitment today that figure will rise over the next two years,” he said.

Following Western Australia joining the other four Australian states already pledging their support for the 2023 World Cup bid, Tasmania, Northern Territory and Australian Capital Territory remain as the only states or territories across Australia not to officially announce their support.

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