On Thursday, July 20, the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 kicks off with games being played in cities across Australia and New Zealand. In the lead-up to the World Cup, the Original Trophy tours through the host cities, including Perth.
As part of the tour, the trophy, which will be awarded to the winning team of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023, was on display at Forrest Place in Perth yesterday. It then makes its way to Busselton on Saturday, July 8, Kununurra on Sunday, July 9, and Broome on Monday, July 10.
Football fans can have their photo taken with the Original Trophy, get autographs from female football heroes, including Perth Glory Captain Tash Rigby and FIFA Ambassador Aya Miyama, and even enjoy a kickabout on the mini-pitch.
Game schedule
The Trophy Tour sets the stage for one of the biggest football tournaments in WA’s history, with five blockbuster matches to be held in Perth as part of the tournament. These matches include:
- Denmark vs People’s Republic of China on July 22
- Republic of Ireland vs Canada on July 26
- Panama vs Jamaica on July 29
- Haiti vs Denmark on August 1
- Morocco vs Colombia on August 3.
Throughout the month-long tournament, Forrest Place will be transformed into a Fan Festival hub, screening live matches, music and performances, football activations, and a variety of food and beverages for fans to enjoy.
The Cook Labor Government, through Tourism WA, has invested $35 million to deliver upgrades to the match venue, Perth Rectangular Stadium, demonstrating their commitment to supporting the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Stadium upgrades
The upgrades to Perth Rectangular Stadium include:
- The installation of 9,500 square meters of hybrid turf in line with FIFA specifications, ensuring a state-of-the-art playing surface.
- 294 new LED lights have been installed to meet FIFA’s TV broadcast standards, along with larger high-definition video boards.
- The changing rooms have been revamped
- A new tunnel has been created for players to enter the pitch.
- Accessibility improvements have also been made to the ground.
The matches are expected to attract thousands of visitors from outside the state and contribute millions of dollars to the WA economy.
Tourism Minister Rita Saffioti expressed her excitement, saying, “This FIFA Women’s World Cup will be history-making for WA and will put our state on the map, with thousands of visitors coming here to see their country play and billions more watching on TV.”
Featured image credit: Football West
