Photo: Getty ImagesNew Zealand's chances of hosting a World Cup in three years time may have just risen dramatically. Its joint bid for the 2023 Women's Football World Cup with Australia has been rated as the best by FIFA. Japan's withdrawal leaves the Australia/New Zealand bid in pole position ahead of Thursday's vote. Japan has never staged the Women's World Cup but co-hosted the men's event in 2002 with neighbours South Korea. The Japanese women's team won the World Cup in 2011, shocking favourites the United States in the final.

Source: Otago Daily Times June 22, 2020 19:52 UTC