Eight countries, including Argentina, have stayed in the bidding contest to host the 2023 Women's World Cup, which will include 32 teams for the first time, FIFA said Tuesday.
FIFA says it has sent "the updated bidding and hosting documents" to the eight member federations. They must file detailed bid plans for the first 32-team tournament by Dec. 13.
The eight are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, New Zealand, South Africa and South Korea. Belgium and Bolivia have withdrawn from the original list of 10 nations ahead of the September 2 deadline for candidate submissions.
South Korea have indicated they will seek to co-host the event with North Korea.
FIFA says all candidates will be inspected in January and February ahead of a FIFA Council vote expected in May.
France hosted 24 teams for the 2019 World Cup which proved so successful that FIFA said it had decided to expand the event to 32 teams to boost the growth of the women's game.
– TIMES/AP/AFP
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