Australian Consulate-General celebrates the opening of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 in Hong Kong
(21 July 2023) FIFA Women’s World Cup celebrations have kicked off in Hong Kong with an opening match reception hosted by Australian Consul-General Elizabeth Ward at the Hong Kong Football Club on 20 July.
Hongkongers and the Australian community came together to watch the opening match (Australia v. Republic of Ireland) live from Stadium Australia in Sydney, where the Matildas – one of the most popular national sports teams in Australia – started the competition strongly with a 1:0 win.
Co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, the ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup is being held for the first time in the Southern Hemisphere and for the first time features 32 teams.
Consul-General Ward said the tournament is the world’s largest women’s sporting event ever, with an expected two billion viewers worldwide. She encouraged all Hongkongers to join in on the excitement, noting the Hong Kong time zone friendly tournament schedule.
“Australia has a long and rich history of delivering world-class sporting events. The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 is another example of the power of women’s sport in driving change, improving equality and empowering women and girls.”
At the reception, FIFA qualified referee Gigi Law Bik-chi joined a halftime chat to discuss the barriers to women’s participation in football and what the world can learn from the historic event happening in Australia and New Zealand over the next month.
“Australia’s incredible achievements in developing women’s football is inspiring for other members of the Asian Football Confederation, including Hong Kong, to keep improving our game on the international stage.”
Hong Kong has a special place in the history of Australia’s national women’s soccer team. The 1975 Asian Women’s Championship in Hong Kong was the first international tournament Australia participated in.
The FIFA Women’s World Cup is broadcast live in Hong Kong 20 July – 20 August 2023 on NowTV channel 630.
Download press quality images of the event here.
Official website and tournament schedule here.
Media enquiries: [email protected]