FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia, New Zealand to begin on July 20

The 2023 women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand will be held from July 20-Aug. 20, global soccer governing body FIFA said.

FIFA announced the dates for the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand on Thursday, with the tournament to be played between July 20-Aug. 20. The 2023 tournament will be the first with 32 teams, expanded from 24, and 10 stadiums will stage games. The new inter-confederation playoffs, which will decide the last three qualification spots, would be held from Feb. 17-23 the same year, FIFA also said on Thursday. Auckland's Eden Park will host the 2023 World Cup opener, while the final will be played at Sydney's Stadium Australia. The later finish should see the Women’s World Cup overlap with the English Premier League and other domestic competitions in European men’s football.