Tumi Dlamini, Chairperson of South Africa’s Bid Committee for hosting the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, believes the country’s performance at the ongoing edition in Australia and New Zealand has made a strong case to bring the tournament to the African continent.
Banyana Banyana made it to the knockout phase for the first time in just their second World Cup appearance after defeating Italy 3-2 in Wellington on Wednesday.
Dlamini is currently in Sydney with a delegation made of South Africa Football Association (SAFA) President Danny Jordaan, SAFA CEO Lydia Monyepao, bid lead Russell Paul and SAFA Women’s head Romaney Pinnock, to meet with FIFA officials in discussing matters relating to the bid.
“This is the first time that the Bid Committee will meet with the leadership of FIFA since SAFA made its submission in March,” Dlamini said on the SAFA website. “While there will likely be other opportunities for meetings of this nature in future, I strongly believe that first impressions last.
“So, it is going to be critical for us to make the most compelling case for why the FIFA Women’s World Cup must be hosted in Africa for the very first time. Other bidding nations will be present and we will likely be able to meet them and have engagements with them as well.
“But the most important thing is for us to keep our eyes on the ball, the big prize. Whilst it might be very tempting to see what their proposition is, our objective this week is to make a case for South Africa. And that is where our focus will be.”
“It will also be crucial to make a compelling social case along with the business case for the World Cup to be hosted in South Africa. Like all major decisions being made by large institutions and corporations the world over, every business decision must be premised on the fact that such a decision will have a lasting social impact on society.
“There can be no better place than in Africa for FIFA to demonstrate its commitment to women empowerment and transformation of the life of a girl child.”
???????? Congratulations to @Banyana_Banyana on your victory against Italy and securing our spot in the final 16. You have lifted our spirits and made us immensely proud. Bring the cup home!#BeyondGreatness#FIFAWWC pic.twitter.com/1aF0WbgUaN
— Cyril Ramaphosa ???????? (@CyrilRamaphosa) August 2, 2023
South Africa is the only country alongside Brazil to make solo bids to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup while Mexico and the United States as well as the trio of Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have made joint bids.
It would represent the second time South Africa plans to host a World Cup having successfully hosted the men’s World Cup in 2010, a first for the continent.
