Accor Stadium is the brand new venue for the Matildas’ opening match of this yr’s FIFA Women’s World Cup towards Ireland on July 20.
The match was to be performed on the 45,000-capacity Allianz Stadium, nevertheless the swap has been made to the Homebush venue, which caters for greater than 82,000 spectators.
Football Australia lobbied FIFA to maneuver the match to permit extra followers to look at the sport such has been the demand for tickets.
“It’s very exciting news,” FA chief govt officer James Johnson mentioned.
“The move from Sydney Football Stadium (Allianz Stadium) to Stadium Australia (Accor Stadium) is big for Australian football and highlights the confidence which we have in the Matildas to draw a huge crowd for the first match of the tournament in Australia.
“The move, which Football Australia strongly advocated for, completely aligns with our positioning of the Matildas as one of our two iconic national teams, and one of Australia’s most loved sporting teams.
“It will ensure that more people can now be a part of the opening match of the Matildas at the FIFA Women’s World Cup.”
“We want this match to set the tone for the rest of the tournament.”
Co-hosts New Zealand are additionally taking part in on July 20, the primary day of the event, towards Norway in Auckland.
FIFA secretary-general Fatma Samoura mentioned: “We have taken a decision that will allow over 100,000 fans to attend the opening matchday, providing more opportunities for supporters to engage with the FIFA Women’s World Cup, as a month of football we will never forget gets underway.”
Tickets already purchased for Allianz Stadium for Australia’s first match of the event will stay legitimate for Accor Stadium.
Originally printed as Matildas’ opening Women’s World Cup match moved to Accor Stadium to cater for extra followers
Source: www.dailytelegraph.com.au
