February 28 or two years ago Australia hosted the largest women’s World Cup to date. This month marked another year before the country hosted an expanded 2027 Women’s Asian Cup, a tournament that will once again break all the previous notes.

This is a milestone and other stages of the country’s ambitions to build hosting expertise in 2023 to bring more big events to Australia.

“We are very honored we are hosting the Women’s Asian Cup. This is a great opportunity to continue the wave of transformation that we saw ahead of and outside our hosting at the Women’s World Cup in 2023, “said Australian Football CEO James Johnson (photo).

“This is an opportunity to attract audiences in Australia and abroad. To bring our country and connect throughout Asia. “

Johnson said that being the host of the 12 best teams in Asia was very interesting, showing that women’s football in Asia was very competitive.

See the place announced for the 2026 Women’s Asian Cup Women’s Cup

“I think we have seen since 2019 closing (competitive) closing between the team. If we look at the ranked team 24 to 32 the difference between top and bottom is quite small. Between 23 and 26 gaps are closed more, “he said.

Football in Australia has grown at a faster level. Participation in 2024 grew by 11% and 16% in women’s games. The presence of Matildas Games grew up with years and years and Johnson said he hoped to continue in 2026.

The success of the 2023 World Cup host not only increases the level of participation, but has also increased the level of company support for games in Australia.

“The company’s support we saw in the World Cup is first grade and since then we have a new sponsor with Nike, Allianz and Coles supermarkets, all of them are the main sponsors,” Johnson said.

Likewise there is ambition to build football infrastructure, and with the Olympics in Brisbane in 2032, Australian football has proposed plans for boutique stadiums in cities with a capacity of 20-25,000.

While most Australian national team players do their trade in the professional league in Europe, Johnson said the growth of participation at home will increase domestic opportunities and competitiveness.

“We see many players coming through the league of men and women. Our strategic focus is to develop younger players, “he said.

“The majority of players in our national team play abroad, especially in England, Germany, the Netherlands and Italy. Our goal is to have more players based in Australia. “

Currently the focus is to give 2026. “We are a very proud AFC member. We have different roles and responsibilities for 2026. Our job is to give in the field, “said Johnson.

But there is also ambition to do more. “In the future, we want to build our hosting capacity. We have sent an expression of interest to bring the 2031 Asian Cup here and are exploring the opportunity. We are also open to bring the club’s world cup to Australia, “he concluded.

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