
<p>A deal between FIFA and Saudi Arabia could end due to vehement opposition from Australia and New Zealand. The two nations are hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup in the summer. Part of the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/saudi-arabia-to-sponsor-womens-world-cup-raises-questions-20230130-WST-417654.html">sponsorship for that tournament</a> was from Visit Saudi, even though Saudi Arabia has no part in the tournament. </p>



<p>Saudi Arabia has a notorious record against women, both in sport and outside of it. Women only earned the right to attend soccer matches in 2018. Saudi Arabia then hosted a four-team friendly involving women’s teams to get an official FIFA ranking.</p>



<p>According to the <em><a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/fifa-poised-to-scrap-visit-saudi-sponsorship-for-women-s-world-cup-20230305-p5cpjk.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sydney Morning Herald</a></em>, a number of critics could see FIFA reshape its agreement with Visit Saudi. For instance, the football federations for Australia and New Zealand both demanded clarification on what FIFA’s deal with Saudi Arabia means. Then, some of the name’s most recognizable faces in the women’s game criticized the plan. USWNT stars <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/sport/soccer/morally-it-doesn-t-make-sense-us-star-alex-morgan-slams-fifa-s-saudi-sponsorship-20230209-p5cjai.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Alex Morgan and Megan Rapinoe</a> called the sponsorship ‘bizarre’ and totally outrageous. Also, Dutch international Vivianne Miedema said FIFA should feel ‘deeply ashamed’ for allowing this to happen.</p>



<p>Now, FIFA could, at the least, be looking to reform how its deal may happen. That includes looking into targeting a different aspect of Saudi Arabia to advertise for. Or, it may face the consequences of the current sponsorship deal.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Will FIFA scrap its Visit Saudi sponsorship of the Women’s World Cup 2023? <br><br>FSA: "The only reason the deal can’t be described as a total embarrassment to FIFA is that they are an organisation which is beyond embarrassment."<br><br>A thread on <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWWC2023?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWWC2023</a> &amp; sponsorship… <a href="https://t.co/CWHFXSb8gO">pic.twitter.com/CWHFXSb8gO</a></p>— The FSA (@WeAreTheFSA) <a href="https://twitter.com/WeAreTheFSA/status/1632750525417390081?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 6, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h2>FIFA deal with Saudi Arabia after Australia, New Zealand opposition</h2>



<p>The first change the report takes into account is that FIFA may take the sponsorship away from Visit Saudi. Instead, it could promote something else in Saudi Arabia. This is because both Australia and New Zealand would use the tournament as a way to promote their tourism. Having a competing sponsor could take away from some of the effectiveness of hosting.</p>



<p>The report also listed out the potential ramifications of the Visit Saudi deal. FIFA runs the risk of protests at the tournament. After all, there is opposition from both the hosts and players at the tournament. Call back to the 2022 World Cup. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/england-and-wales-to-defy-fifa-and-wear-onelove-armbands-20221119-WST-409028.html">Players from eight countries</a> were going to wear the OneLove rainbow captain’s armbands. However, FIFA banned these just before the competition, telling players that anyone donning the armband would earn a yellow card. </p>



<p>The protests surrounding Visit Saudi could be just as vocal, if not more so, given the host of the tournament is already uncomfortable with this sponsorship.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Cover-Images</em></p>


Australia and New Zealand, the hosts for the 2023 World Cup, expressed opposition to World Cup sponsorship deal between FIFA and Visit Saudi.

Australia, New Zealand tell FIFA to reject Saudi World Cup deal


<p>Canada made an announcement on head coach John Herdman that refuted earlier reports. Earlier on Wednesday, <em><a href="https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2023/02/football-canada-s-john-herdman-emerges-as-leading-candidate-for-all-whites-head-coaching-role.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Newshub</a></em> reported the 47-year-old head coach switched allegiances. The story claimed he would be taking over the same role with New Zealand.</p>



<p>Earlier in his coaching career, Herdman worked with the women’s national team in New Zealand from 2003 to 2011. He was the head coach for the final five years of that tenure. </p>



<p>However, Canada’s official twitter account published a quote from Herdman. It clearly demonstrated Herdman’s intent to stay with the Canada Men’s National Team after he helped the side reach its first World Cup since 1986. It was Canada’s second trip to the tournament in its history.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A statement from Canada Soccer&apos;s Men&apos;s National Team Head Coach John Herdman 🍁 <a href="https://t.co/Qnung905Hj">pic.twitter.com/Qnung905Hj</a></p>— Canada Soccer (@CanadaSoccerEN) <a href="https://twitter.com/CanadaSoccerEN/status/1620857717668864002?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 1, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<h5>New Zealand had a head coach lined up</h5>



<p>New Zealand’s soccer association announced that it had a frontrunner lined up. In an official statement that laid out a pair of friendlies to start off the 2026 World Cup cycle, New Zealand said Darren Bazeley would coach the side in those friendlies.</p>



<p>“The leading candidate for the permanent All Whites head coach role had to be called upon to help manage a family health issue, meaning they weren’t able to take up the position ahead of these fixtures,” read an official <a href="https://www.nzfootball.co.nz/newsarticle/124254?newsfeedId=1275622" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">statement</a> on the ordeal.</p>



<p>However, Herdman maintained that he is not that candidate. New Zealand did reach out to the coach to question him for his services. However, the coach is “not going anywhere.”</p>



<p>Herdman is under contract through the 2026 World Cup, for which Canada is a co-host.</p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-youtube"><iframe loading="lazy" title="How John Herdman&apos;s Upbringing Shaped Him In Soccer And Life | Consett to Qatar: Episode 1" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/vHMTGVCgBmY?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div>
</div></figure>



<h2>John Herdman took Canada to 2022 World Cup</h2>



<p>Herdman made <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/croatia-newspaper-attacks-canada-world-cup-coach-20221125-WST-409953.html">headlines</a> at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar for interesting comments regarding Croatia. The coach spoke to reporters after a narrow defeat to Belgium and admitted that he told his players that they would “go and F Croatia” in their next match. Canada would, however, lose the match to Croatia 4-1.</p>



<p>Regardless, it was a success to get Canada back to the competition even if it picked up zero points. Canada did score its first-ever goal at a World Cup. Fittingly, it was star man Alphonso Davies to get on the scoresheet. </p>



<p>He looks to lead the side as it is a co-host for the 2026 World Cup. </p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / PA Images</em></p>


Canada head coach John Herdman had links with the New Zealand job, but he snuffed those out and stated his intent to stay with Canada.

John Herdman announces stay as head coach for Canada


<p>The FIFA Women’s World Cup is now just six months away, and fans finally know the official match ball.</p>



<p>Nicknamed “OCEAUNZ,” it is the ninth successive ball produced by Adidas. However, it maintains some of the same technology from <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/world-cup-official-ball-qatar-2022-20220330-CMS-377637.html">previous balls</a> at the men’s and <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup-tv-schedule/">Women’s World Cups</a>. For example, a CTR core allows for consistency, while the Speedshell improved aerodynamics. Then, the connected ball technology from a suspended sensor in the ball provides all the stats fans crave.</p>



<p>The ball arrived in Sydney today, the location of the final. However, rather than going to Syndney Stadium, the location of the Final, it wound up on Bondi Beach. It is, after all, still summer down under.</p>



<p>In terms of the aesthetics, the ball takes inspiration from the mountains of New Zealand and the waters of Australia. It featured designs by Aboriginal artist Chern’ee Sutton and Māori  artist Fiona Collis. </p>



<figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper">
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">All eyes on OCEAUNZ 🌊<br><br>Inspired by the nature of Australia and New Zealand, your official <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@FIFAWWC</a> match ball.<br><br>Available now in stores and online at <a href="https://t.co/wIHO15UkRf">https://t.co/wIHO15UkRf</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWWC</a> 🇦🇺🇳🇿 <a href="https://t.co/jyCkYdhud8">pic.twitter.com/jyCkYdhud8</a></p>— adidas UK (@adidasUK) <a href="https://twitter.com/adidasUK/status/1617813205216071682?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 24, 2023</a></blockquote></div><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div></figure>



<p>FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura wanted the ball to embrace the inclusivity that FIFA aims for. </p>



<p>“adidas has created an iconic Official Match Ball for the FIFA Women’s World Cup that reflects diversity, inclusivity and togetherness, fitting themes for the first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by two different countries from different confederations,” Samoura wrote. “This edition of the tournament will be extremely special and the rich cultures of Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, as evoked on OCEAUNZ, are certain to take the experience of visiting fans and teams #BeyondGreatness.”</p>



<p>The name of the ball, OCEAUNZ, is part of that inclusivity. It represents Australia (AU) and New Zealand (NZ) coming together. </p>



<h5>Women’s World Cup ball for Australia and New Zealand</h5>



<p>This is the first Women’s World Cup to take place in the southern hemisphere. It is also the first to include the same number of teams as the men’s competition, 32. Therefore,  it is a time of change for <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-soccer-tv-schedule/">women’s soccer</a> and the Women’s World Cup.</p>



<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/news/what-times-are-the-womens-world-cup-games-played-20230118-WST-413603.html">The competition kicks off</a> on July 20 when New Zealand battles 1995 Women’s World Cup champions Norway. Australia is in action against Ireland later that day. Coverage in the United States is available through FOX Sports.</p>


FIFA and Adidas unveiled the official ball for the 2023 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand set for later this year.

Official match ball for the Women's World Cup unveiled


<p>FOX Sports announced plans to broadcast the draw for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Because the tournament will be played in Australia and New Zealand next summer, the draw will be airing live at an unusual time for American viewers.</p>



<p>FS1 will broadcast the draw from Auckland on Saturday, October 22nd at 2:00AM (ET)/Friday, October, 21st at 11:00PM (PT). The sports channel will air the draw in its entirety, as well as the pre-and-post show events. </p>



<p>Despite losing their last two matches, the United States women’s national team is still the top-ranked team in the FIFA rankings. American fans will be able to find out which group their team will be placed in during the broadcast. Along with the group, the draw will also fill out the entire group stage bracket of the tournament.</p>



<h2>Watch the 2023 Women’s World Cup draw</h2>



<p>The USWNT enters the 2023 version of the competition as reigning back-to-back World Cup champions. By the time the tournament starts, it will have been 12 years since the USWNT last failed to win the World Cup.</p>


<table class="table5">
<tbody>
<tr class="table5" style="background-color: #ef4923">
<td width="30%"><a href="http://www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866&amp;subId1=womenworldcupdraw" target="blank" rel="noopener"><div><figure class="image"><img src="https://ds-images.bolavip.com/news/image?src=https://images.worldsoccertalk.com/webp/WST_20221019_WST_405016_FuboTV.webp&amp;width=500&amp;height=310" alt="Fubo"></figure></div></a></td>
<td width="40%">
<h4 style="color: white">Watch Women’s World Cup draw</h4>
<p style="color: white">Includes: Premier League + 84 Sports Channels</p>
</td>
<td><a class="button" href="http://www.fubo.tv/lp/soccer/?irad=356358&amp;irmp=330866&amp;subId1=womenworldcupdraw" target="blank" rel="noopener"><span style="color: white"><strong>7-Day Free Trial</strong></span></a></td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>


<p><a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/09/29/2023-womens-world-cup-tickets-go-on-sale-from-october-6th/">Australia and New Zealand are co-hosting</a> a women’s World Cup for the first time. In fact, the 2023 tournament will be the only time that a women’s World Cup has been played in the Southern Hemisphere. It will also see the field expand to 32 teams for the first time as well.</p>



<p>FOX currently holds the English-language broadcasting rights to the 2023 Women’s World Cup here in the United States. Despite this, lead host John Strong will be calling the games from network studios in Los Angeles. He will be joined by analysts Aly Wagner and Leslie Osborne.</p>



<p>Nevertheless, Stu Holden is set to be on location in Australia and New Zealand throughout the tournament. Alexi Lalas and former USWNT star Carli Lloyd will be in attendance for the draw.</p>



<p>The 2023 Women’s World Cup is slated to start on July 20, 2023.</p>



<p><em>PHOTO: IMAGO / Focus Images</em></p>


On Oct. 22, you can watch the Women's World Cup draw for the tournament taking place in the summer of 2023 from Australia and New Zealand.

How to watch the Women's World Cup draw - World Soccer Talk

How to watch the Women's World Cup draw

<div><figure class="image"></figure></div>
<p>FIFA announced tickets go on sale for the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/womens-world-cup/">2023 Women’s World</a> Cup on Oct. 6. The tournament, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, takes place next summer. Next year’s World Cup will be the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2020/06/25/a-tournament-of-firsts-2023-womens-world-cup-will-break-new-ground/">ninth iteration of the competition</a>. It is the first in the history of the tournament to take place in the southern hemisphere.</p>
<p>FIFA’s Chief Women’s Football Officer, Sarai Bareman, was thrilled with the announcement. “As <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/07/09/canada-and-costa-rica-qualify-for-2023-womens-world-cup/">qualification reaches its final stages</a> ahead of next month’s Draw in New Zealand, we are excited to reveal ticketing details for the tournament today, including when fans will get the first chance to secure their seat at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup,” <a href="https://www.fifa.com/tournaments/womens/womensworldcup/australia-new-zealand2023/media-releases/fifa-womens-world-cup-australia-and-new-zealand-2023-tm-tickets-to-go-on">claimed</a> Bareman.</p>
<p>Visa cardholders will have priority access to the tickets. These customers essentially have first dibs for multi-match packages beginning on October 6th. This priority access for people with Visa credit/debit cards runs until October 12th. Fans without Visa cards can purchase World Cup multi-match tickets starting on October 13th.</p>
<h3>2023 Women’s World Cup tickets on sale in early October</h3>
<p>Single game tickets will then go on sale after the official <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/2022/04/19/reigning-champ-usa-learns-path-to-2023-womens-world-cup/">World Cup draw</a> is made on October 22nd. Much like the multi-match packages, Visa cardholders will also have first access to single match tickets on October 25th. Customers not using Visa cards can buy single game tickets on November 1st.</p>
<div class="ck-twitter"><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">🚨 SAVE THE DATE 🚨<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFAWWC?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFAWWC</a> 2023 ticket packages go on sale from 6 October! 🤩<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeyondGreatness?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#BeyondGreatness</a></p>
<p>— FIFA Women&apos;s World Cup (@FIFAWWC) <a href="https://twitter.com/FIFAWWC/status/1575195480593686528?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 28, 2022</a></p></blockquote></div>
<p><script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p>
<p>Prices for single game tickets approximately start at $13 for adults and $6.50 for children. Tickets will be sold at a first-come first-served basis.</p>
<p>The 2023 Women’s World Cup will bring a series of fresh ideas to the competition. “As the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in the southern hemisphere and the first-ever edition to feature 32 teams, the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia &amp; New Zealand 2023 will truly be a tournament of firsts, providing an important platform to inspire fans and create a new generation of role models through football,” stated FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura.</p>


You can buy 2023 Women's World Cup tickets starting in early October, with Visa cardholders having something like early access.

2023 Women's World Cup tickets go on sale from October 6th - World Soccer Talk

2023 Women's World Cup tickets go on sale from October 6th

<p><a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_new" rel="noopener nofollow"></a></p><div><figure class="image"><a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_new" rel="noopener nofollow"></a></figure></div><p></p>
<p>Here in the United States, AFC Women’s Asian Cup games on Paramount+ begin Thursday, January 20. China PR takes on Chinese Taipei in the opening fixture from India.</p>
<p>CBS acquired the rights to broadcast Asian Football Confederation (AFC) tournaments up until 2024. This, of course, gives CBS exclusive rights to broadcast the tournament in the United States. Therefore, the agreement allows CBS to utilize its streaming service <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_new" rel="noopener nofollow">Paramount+</a> as the exclusive way to watch these competitions.</p>
<p>The AFC General Secretary, Dato’ Windsor John, mentioned the importance of the deal for the sport in Asia as a whole.</p>
<blockquote><p><em>“The AFC is delighted to enter into this partnership with CBS Sports, which represents another progressive step towards increasing the visibility and consumption of the AFC’s competitions beyond our Continent, and we thank them for believing in the future of Asian football.”</em></p></blockquote>
<p>Paramount+ streams <a href="https://www.the-afc.com/en/national/afc_womens_asian_cup.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">each match of the competition</a> live. On-demand replays are available shortly after the conclusion of each game.</p>
<h5>The 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup</h5>
<p>India hosts the 2022 AFC Women’s Cup for the second time in the competition’s history. Traditionally, the AFC Women’s Asian Cup features eight teams. However, this year, the tournament expanded. Twelve teams split into three groups of four teams. The group winner and group runner-up advance from each group. Also, the two best third-place teams advance to the quarterfinals of the competition.</p>
<p>From that point on, it is a single-game elimination tournament culminating on February 6.</p>
<p>Historically, China PR is the most successful nation in the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. The nation has won eight times. That being said, Japan dominated in recent renditions of the tournament. The 2011 World Cup Winners won the last two AFC Women’s Asian Cups.</p>
<p>The tournament is incredibly important. First off, the tournament crowns the best Asian women’s team. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, the top five teams in the competition earn direct qualification to the <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2020/06/25/a-tournament-of-firsts-2023-womens-world-cup-will-break-new-ground/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">2023 World Cup</a>. That tournament, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, already has the two host nations as secured spots. The knockout stages of the 2022 AFC Women’s Asian Cup, airing on Paramount+, determine five more participants.</p>
<h3>AFC Women’s Asian Cup on Paramount+</h3>
<p>Currently, Paramount+ has a <a href="https://paramountplus.qflm.net/c/330866/1007330/3065" target="_new" rel="noopener nofollow">one-week free trial</a> of their streaming service. After the seven days are up, plans for Paramount+ begin at just $4.99 per month. They also offer an ad-free (except live TV obviously) version for $9.99 per month. <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.cms.futbolsitesnetwork.com/2020/08/11/how-to-lock-in-savings-with-annual-soccer-streaming-plans/">Annual plans</a> are also available at Paramount+ and they start at $49.99 per year. The streaming service can also now be bundled along with Showtime as well.</p>
<p>Subscribers can access Paramount+ on computers, mobile phones, tablets or connected devices like Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, LG, Samsung, and Vizio smart TVs, Playstation, Roku, and Xbox.</p>
<p>Along with the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, Paramount+ offers subscribers more than 2,000 live soccer matches per year. Other competitions that the streaming service currently holds exclusive rights to in the U.S. include: UEFA Champions League, Europa League, Europa Conference League, Italy’s Serie A, Scottish Premiership, Argentine league, Brasileirāo, NWSL, The Women’s Cup, CONCACAF World Cup qualifiers and Nations League.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<div class="stvs-grid" id="league-366191-all-America/New_York"></div><div class="wst-home-matches"></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>


The AFC Women's Asian Cup, the top tournament for international women's teams in the confederation, begins on Paramount+ this week.

ALL POSTS TAGGED "New Zealand"

Australia

Australia, New Zealand tell FIFA to reject Saudi World Cup deal

Canada

John Herdman announces stay as head coach for Canada

Women's Soccer

Official match ball for the Women's World Cup unveiled

Women's Soccer

How to watch the Women's World Cup draw

Women's Soccer

2023 Women's World Cup tickets go on sale from October 6th

AFC

AFC Women's Asian Cup on Paramount+ starts Thursday, Jan. 20