Trafalgar Bridge is seen illuminated to celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 'One Year To Go' event in Perth, Australia, July 20, 2022. Events were held in Australia's several major cities to mark the one year countdown to FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. (Photo by Paul Kane/Xinhua/Getty Images for FIFA)
SYDNEY, July 20 (Xinhua) -- Events were held in Australia's several major cities on Wednesday to mark the one year countdown to FIFA Women's World Cup 2023.
A Unity Pitch located on Barangaroo Reserve in Sydney was unveiled by FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura to mark the milestone date on the road to the tournament scheduled from July 20 to August 20 next year.
The pitch, created with the tournament's colourful livery in mind, will be open to the public and local football groups until July 24, before touring each of the tournament's nine host cities over the next year. The pitch will tour all host cities prior to July 20, 2023.
"This competition will provide a platform to inspire and unite through the power of women's football and FIFA, together with the host countries, looks forward to welcoming players and fans from around the world and going beyond greatness together in 2023," said Samoura.
Premier of the state of New South Wales (NSW) Dominic Perrottet said it's an honor for NSW to host the biggest event in women's sport.
"Sydney has a celebrated history of hosting major international sporting events and we look forward to welcoming 16,000 visitors to our global city, to cheer on their teams at the rebuilt Sydney Football Stadium and the final at Stadium Australia," said Perrottet.
NSW Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup in the southern hemisphere for the first time was a huge deal and gave female footballers the opportunity to see the very best in their sport in the flesh.
Sydney, as well as other eight host cities across the two host countries, Australia and New Zealand, will also light up their iconic monuments such as the Harbour Bridge and Auckland's Sky Tower to celebrate the "One Year to Go".
Football Australia also revealed on Wednesday the progress made to date with its Legacy '23 Plan, which was launched in February 2021 aiming to deliver positive and enduring benefits for the development of football in Australia beyond 2023.
The program has so far secured 230 million Australian dollars (about 159 million U.S. dollars) in funding from the federal and several state governments.
Football Australia said the funding will continue to support the development of the sport, including community facilities, high performance offerings and participation. It will also encourage local and international tourism to recover from the global pandemic.
"The final 12 months leading up to the FIFA Women's World Cup are crucial for our game as we try to make the most of this unique opportunity," said Football Australia CEO James Johnson.
Tickets for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 will go on sale from October 6, and the official draw will take play on October 22.
The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 will be the largest women's World Cup ever, involving 32 teams for the first time -- meaning it will have the same number of teams as the men's tournament. ■
The LED tower at Yagan Square displays graphics to celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 'One Year To Go' event in Perth, Australia, July 20, 2022. Events were held in Australia's several major cities to mark the one year countdown to FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. (Photo by Paul Kane/Xinhua/Getty Images for FIFA)
Harbour Bridge is seen illuminated to celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 'One Year To Go' event in Sydney, Australia, July 20, 2022. Events were held in Australia's several major cities to mark the one year countdown to FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
Harbour Bridge is seen illuminated to celebrate the FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 'One Year To Go' event in Sydney, Australia, July 20, 2022. Events were held in Australia's several major cities to mark the one year countdown to FIFA Women's World Cup 2023. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)
