Soon, the world will come together for one of the most anticipated sporting events – the FIFA Women’s World Cup. This prestigious football tournament unites the best national teams from around the globe. For the ninth time, the FIFA World Cup will showcase the extraordinary talent, passion and determination of women in sport. And for the first time, Australia (in conjunction with New Zealand) will host the event.
The World Cup 2023 is monumental for several reasons. It is the first Women’s World Cup to include a record-breaking 32 nations, and the first to be held in multiple countries. It’s also the first time that the Women’s World Cup will be held in the Southern Hemisphere.
Hosting the Women’s World Cup 2023 will further solidify Australia’s dedication to sport and multiculturalism. The tournament will undoubtedly bring football fever to Australians, all while inspiring future generations and uniting nations.
It’s not often that Australia gets to host a major world event, which makes the upcoming Women’s World Cup all the more exciting. For locals and tourists alike, check out Airtrain’s helpful guide to the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia.
Humble history
The very first World Cup took place almost 100 years ago, in 1930 when it was held in Uruguay. It has grown exponentially with the recognition of a bespoke Women’s World Cup in 1991 in China, which featured only 12 teams. The first Women’s World Cup laid the foundation for the future of women’s football, sparking interest and enthusiasm for the sport worldwide. Since then, the number of competing teams and nations has almost tripled, further solidifying the tournament’s global significance.
Football for women
FIFA’s Women’s Football Strategy is centred on growing female participation in football, developing and growing the next generation of female footballers, showcasing the game, fostering a global network and educating stakeholders to broaden the exposure and value of women’s football. As part of its mission, FIFA’s stated goal is to have 60 million female players by 2026.
Bringing nations together
Hailed as the Olympics of football, the World Cup has a remarkable ability to unite nations for this special tournament. Every four years for just a few weeks, countries put aside their cultural and political differences for one shared passion and purpose. Because of what the Women’s World Cup stands for, it serves as a platform for different countries and cultures to showcase and celebrate their diversity. This makes it all the more fitting that the 2023 host countries are renowned for their multiculturalism and global camaraderie.
Football for the next generation
Hosting the Women’s World Cup in Australia brings with it the potential to inspire the next generation of female footballers. As a country that has a longer history in sports like rugby and cricket, this is an exciting opportunity to put football on Australia’s main stage. And while Australia isn’t known as a known as a major soccer nation, the sport has seen huge growth in popularity due to its integration with global culture. Playing locally will draw much-wanted spectatorship and funding to the sport, which will in turn inspire young athletes and make the sport more accessible.
Travelling to the Women’s World Cup 2023
With iconic Australian sporting facilities on the world stage, this year’s Women’s World Cup is one not to miss! Of the total 64 matches held in Australia and New Zealand across July and August, eight of those games will be played at our very own Suncorp Stadium.
You can catch the following Women’s World Cup 2023 matches at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane:
- Saturday 22 July – England v Haiti
- Thursday 27 July – Australia v Nigeria
- Saturday 29 July – France v Brazil
- Monday 31 July – Republic of Ireland v Nigeria
- Thursday 3 August – Korea Republic v Germany
- Monday 7 August – Winners of Group D v Runners up from Group B
- Saturday 12 August – Quarter Final Match
- Saturday 19 August – 3rd Place Playoff
If you’re visiting Brisbane for the Women’s World Cup, it’s best to plan ahead with Airtrain. Airtrain services run express from the Brisbane Airport and stop at Fortitude Valley, Central, Roma Street and South Brisbane stations. With journeys from the Airport to Brisbane City departing every 15 minutes during on-peak travel (and every 30 minutes during off-peak), you’ll be at your destination before you know it.
While you’re in Brisbane, you can easily get around with a go card – just touch on at your station of departure and touch off when you arrive at your destination. The go card is accepted on all Translink transport throughout Greater Brisbane, Ipswich, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
Smart Ticketing is also available on Airtrain, making your journey easier than ever before! With the world-class Smart Ticketing system, you can simply tap and travel with Visa, Mastercard and American Express.
To help make your journey easier, travel to and from Suncorp Stadium via the Queensland Rail City Network (excluding Airtrain) and Brisbane City Council Buses is FREE for ticket holders on the day of the match! Check out the Translink Journey Planner to plan your travel for the Women’s World Cup 2023.
