Motsepe Promises Strong Support Network For South Africa With 54 Associations
Motsepe Promises Strong Support Network For South Africa With 54 AssociationsCAF President Patrice Motsepe announces support for South Africa’s bid to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027
The Confederation of African Football (CAF) President, Patrice Motsepe, has expressed support for South Africa’s bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027. This follows South Africa’s expression of interest in hosting the event, with the backing of the South African Sports Olympic Committee (SASCOC), as well as former Minister of Sports, Arts, and Culture Nathi Mthethwa, and his replacement Zizi Kodwa.
South Africa aims to become the first nation in Africa to host both the men’s and women’s World Cup. The bid has received the backing of all 54-member associations, with Motsepe saying that Morocco received similar support in their bid to host the joint FIFA World Cup in 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal.
Motsepe noted that hosting the event would benefit other countries on the continent, such as Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Nigeria, and Senegal, by promoting infrastructure development and creating opportunities to compete against the best in the world.
FIFA Bidding Process for Women’s World Cup 2027
The FIFA bidding process for the Women’s World Cup 2027 is set to launch on 21 April 2023. South African Football Association (SAFA) is expected to complete and submit its bidding agreement by 19 May 2023. FIFA will then dispatch bidding and hosting documents on 23 May 2023.
In August 2023, FIFA will convene a bid workshop and observers program during the Women’s World Cup in Australia/New Zealand. The Bid Book is expected to be submitted to FIFA by 8 December 2023, with FIFA’s inspection team visiting bidding countries in February 2024.
FIFA will publish its evaluation report in May 2024, with the ranking of bids in the same month. The decision and appointment of the host country for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 is expected to take place in the second quarter of 2024.
Morocco’s bid for joint FIFA World Cup in 2030
Motsepe confirmed that the CAF executive committee’s decision to support Morocco’s bid to host the joint FIFA World Cup in 2030 alongside Spain and Portugal was non-negotiable. He added that Egypt and other African nations had approached him with similar bids, and it was important to engage and start lobbying early to improve the chances of African nations hosting the World Cup in the future.
Conclusion
South Africa’s bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 has received widespread support from all 54-member associations. The bid is part of a wider goal to promote infrastructure development and provide opportunities for African nations to compete against the best in the world. With the FIFA bidding process set to launch in April 2023, South Africa is on track to become the first African nation to host both the men’s and women’s World Cup.