Will South Africa join the elite list of countries that have hosted both the men’s and the women’s FIFA World Cup?
South Africa has expressed interest in hosting the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the country is now looking forward to formally launching its intention to be a bidding nation once FIFA has issued the final bid book requirements.
SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan has travelled to different locations around the globe in the last few months and lobbied for support as South Africa attempts to join the United States of America, Germany and France as the only countries to have hosted both the men’s and the women’s FIFA World Cup.
The SAFA President is expected to continue to lobby when the 73rd Edition of the FIFA Congress, where a Presidential election is due to take place, is held in Kigali, Rwanda, on 16 March 2023.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino is standing for re-election and is expected to be elected for a third term. The FIFA President was first elected in February 2016 and then won a second term when he stood unopposed for re-election in 2019.
The FIFA President has been a strong supporter for Africa and South Africa hopes this stands the country in good stead during the bidding for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
South Africa’s interest in hosting the tournament received a boost after government expressed its support for SAFA’s plans.
Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture Nathi Mthethwa sent a letter to the SAFA President saying the department is proud to support the Association’s expression of interest to bid to host the global showpiece.
The Minster’s support comes on the back of the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) giving Dr Jordaan a letter of support for the bid in October last year.
While the bidding process has not officially started yet, there are several proposed bids from South Africa, a joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands, The Nordic countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden), Chile and the United States of America, among others.
Dr Jordaan said SAFA is looking forward to formally launching South Africa’s intention to be a bidding nation.
SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE.
