Japan's bid withdrawal boosts Australia and New Zealand's chances of being joint hosts in 2023Japan is withdrawing its bid to host the 2023 Women's World Cup, leaving Australia and New Zealand as firm favourites to be selected. The decision comes on the week football's world governing body FIFA is to hold a vote to determine the successful candidate. The Japanese bid was one of three, along with Colombia and a joint bid from Australia and New Zealand. Earlier this month, FIFA rated the joint Australia/New Zealand bid as the best to host the tournament, with Japan in second place. Japan won the 2011 Women's World Cup, shocking favourites the United States in the finalJapan has never staged the Women's World Cup but co-hosted the men's event in 2002 with neighbours South Korea.

Source: Sky sports June 22, 2020 09:33 UTC