FFA Media Release: Western Australian Government announces significant support for football

Football Federation Australia (FFA) today welcomed news of the Western Australian Government’s support for football, with the Premier of WA, Mr Mark McGowan, officially announcing the State’s backing of Australia’s FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ Bid as well as a series of elite Caltex Socceroos fixtures to be held in Perth over the coming years.

Premier McGowan made the announcement at Nash Field – home of Western Knights SC – alongside the WA Government’s Sports Minister Mick Murray, experienced Westfield Matilda Laura Brock (nee Alleway), and Perth-born former Caltex Socceroos goalkeeper Jason Petkovic. 

The announcement ensures that Western Australia will feature in FFA’s final submission to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2023, with fixtures slated for Perth’s Rectangular Stadium should Australia’s Bid ultimately be successful.

WA’s support of Australia’s Bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ adds to commitments already received by the New South Wales, Victorian, Queensland, and South Australian Governments. 

Additionally, the Caltex Socceroos will return to Perth in March 2020 for the first of two fixtures to be held in WA over the coming years. 

On Thursday, 26 March 2020 Australia will play Kuwait at HBF Park in its next qualification fixture on the road to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

Should the Caltex Socceroos, as envisaged, reach the Third Round of Asian Football Confederation (AFC) qualifying for Qatar, a further qualification fixture will be held in the west throughout 2021.

“The WA Government is very excited at the prospect of being part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ in 2023,” Premier McGowan said.

“We have also partnered with FFA to secure at least two Socceroos games in Perth, including two guaranteed World Cup qualifiers next year and in 2021.

“The benefits to our State will be significant, in terms of having a major economic impact on and providing a massive increase in exposure to the rest of the world.”

FFA Chief Operating Officer, Mr Mark Falvo, acknowledged the WA Government’s support for football, and said both commitments would excite and inspire football fans from Bunbury to Broome. 

“FFA is delighted that the Premier and people of WA share our vision to bring the FIFA Women’s World Cup™ to Australia,” Mr Falvo said. “Some of the great Westfield Matildas – including current stars Sam Kerr and Lydia Williams – hail from WA, and hosting matches, training, and other events in and around Perth in 2023 would ensure that WA is part of a truly global celebration of football.”

“It is also fantastic that the Caltex Socceroos are set to return to the west consistently over the coming years. Five men’s ‘A’ internationals have been held in Perth since 1975, and with the WA Government’s commitment today that figure will rise over the next two years.”

Next Match – Caltex Socceroos – FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™ and AFC Asian Cup China 2023™ – Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2

Australia v Kuwait
Date: Thursday, 26 March 2020
Venue: HBF Park, Perth, Western Australia
Kick-off: To be confirmed 
Football Family Tickets: On sale Tuesday, 10 December 2019 at 9am AWST/12pm AEDT (check for details)
General Public Tickets: On sale Thursday, 12 December 2019 at 9am AWST/12pm AEDT (check for details)
Broadcast: Live in Australia on FOX SPORTS, ABC TV, Kayo Sports, and via the My Football Live App, Live, Fast and Data Free for Telstra mobile customers

Australians are encouraged to #GetOnside for the Bid at AusBid2023.com, where over 450,000 people have already pledged their support.