Two AFC Member Associations are among the three remaining bids to host the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, after Brazil withdrew its application to organise the event on Monday.

A Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) statement announced both the withdrawal of its own candidacy and that it will now support fellow South American nation Colombia in its bid to host the event.

Australia, which forms part of a joint bid with New Zealand, and Japan are Asia’s bidding nations, with the winning bid to be chosen on June 25.

The CBF statement said the reasons Brazil’s withdrawal were chiefly financial, saying: “Due to the scenario of economic and fiscal austerity, fuelled by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, it would not be advisable, at this moment, to sign the guarantees requested by FIFA.

“In view of the exceptional moment experienced by the country and the world, CBF understands the cautious position of the Brazilian Government, and of other public and private partners, which prevented them from formalising the commitments within the time or in the required manner.

“Added to this is our perception, built during the process, that the accumulation of large sporting events held in a short period of time in Brazil could not favour the candidacy in the vote on June 25.”

Asia has hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup on two occasions, both in China PR, while South America has never hosted women’s football’s showpiece event.

The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup will be the first edition of the tournament to be held with 32 teams.

AFC