Agency :
FIFA has released the logo for the 2023 Women’s World Cup, the intention being to celebrate the landscapes and cultural history of host countries Australia and New Zealand.
The tournament’s slogan, “Beyond Greatness”, has also been revealed as world football’s governing body starts the countdown to the biggest event in women’s football.
FIFA insists it is planning for the World Cup to go ahead on time and with fans from all over the world despite ongoing travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Australia and New Zealand have heavily monitored arrivals into the countries during the global health crisis but tournament organisers aren’t making contingency plans at this stage.
“Both governments are working hard to open the borders and to make sure Covid is something that can be, shall we say, lived with,” FIFA’s chief women’s football officer Sarai Bareman told reporters.
“I believe the measures that are being put in place by the two governments in both countries will mean we are going to have an open situation in 2023 and both countries will be able to welcome fans, players and teams.”
“We have to be careful about putting measures in place, we’re all used to that now. For example, wearing a mask, social distancing and that kind of thing. It’s important we work with the two governments to work in a safe way.”
The global pandemic has seen attendances in women’s football in some countries stagnate in 2021, with the recent attendance of just over 23,000 at Wembley for England vs Northern Ireland being cited as a concern by many supporters.
Bareman admits there have been negative effects on the global game over the last year and a half but is confident the World Cup will help alleviate any problems in the long term.
