5 June 2023 – South African Football Association (SAFA) President Dr Danny Jordaan and CEO Lydia Monyepao met with Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Zizi Kodwa on Monday (5 June 2023) to give an update on South Africa’s interest to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
Minister Kodwa was pleased with the progress that has been made by SAFA and welcomed the update from Dr Jordaan and CEO Monyepao. SAFA is now embarking on a phase of engaging the provincial governments, the cities and the stadiums as the work around the bid continues. “We are very happy with the progress that has been made,” said Dr Jordaan.
“Our government has been very supportive of women’s sport as we have seen with various codes, including the eighth edition of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup that was held in South Africa from 10-26 February 2023 and the Netball World Cup to be hosted in Cape Town from 28 July – 6 August 2023 at the International Convention Centre.
“SAFA believes that hosting the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup will accelerate the professionalisation of women’s football on the continent.”
Minister Kodwa was happy with the update from SAFA and said he would invite the Association to make a presentation to a meeting of Government Ministers and MECs (MINMEC) to be held in Bloemfontein on Thursday and Friday (8 and 9 June 2023).
“I am very pleased with this update from SAFA, and the details around the progress and the work that has been achieved to date,” Minister Kodwa said.
Dr Jordaan recently returned from a meeting with the Confederation of African Football’s headquarters (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt, where he briefed the continental governing body on South Africa’s intention to bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
The SAFA President also briefed CAF on plans to create a women’s professional league in South Africa and why the FIFA Women’s World Cup is crucial to the project.
The Council of Southern Africa Football Associations (COSAFA) endorsed South Africa’s Bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup last month (26 May 2023) and SAFA will engage all the other regions on the continent and inform them about the country’s intention to bid for the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2027.
* Issued in consultation with the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture