FIFA officially announced today that Canada will host the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In the months leading up to the announcement, Canada was in the running against Zimbabwe, but since Zimbabwe pulled out of the running earlier this week, all Canada needed was FIFA’s official word.
In a statement, Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said: “Hosting these tournaments will further enhance Canada’s reputation as a sporting country and allow us to showcase several cities to a global television audience. Like all fans, we look forward to cheering for our outstanding women’s teams at home, in 2014 and 2015.”
The Canadian Women’s National Team, which earns an automatic bid into the 2015 World Cup as the host nation, had its most successful year in 2010 and earned its highest-ever FIFA World Ranking (ninth). In addition to the 2015 World Cup, Canada will host the 2014 U-20 Women’s World Cup, a tournament the country also hosted in 2002.