Soccer: NZ in hunt for World Cup

A narrow 2-1 loss to Japan on Thursday is indicative of the strides New Zealand women's football has made. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand is seeking to cement its status as a viable location for football's biggest tournaments, bidding to host the 2019 Women's World Cup.

Fifa announced yesterday that England, France, South Korea and South Africa are also interested in staging the 16-team showpiece of women's football.

New Zealand, along with England, France and South Korea, have also put their hands up for the 2018 Under-20 Women's World Cup, with Fifa preferring to award both tournaments to the same country in consecutive years.

New Zealand would likely be long-shots to host the tournaments behind England, France and South Korea, among the powers of women's football, but this year's application may ultimately be the opening gambit in a successful bid for the 2023 or 2027 World Cups.

"Is it realistic? We just have to think it can be and, if it's not this time around, we'll definitely go for another one," said New Zealand Football women's development manager Maia Jackman.

"Women's football is a big strategic thing for New Zealand Football. To look at hosting [the Women's World Cup] is something NZF have always eyed."

Bid documents must be submitted by October 31 and Fifa's executive committee will assign the tournaments early next year. If New Zealand fails, the chances of eventually hosting a tournament could be given a big boost next year.

That's when the men's Under-20 World Cup will come to these shores and a well-run tournament will do no harm to New Zealand's hopes when bidding for further events.

"It will be a good run to see how New Zealand goes with it and I think Fifa are really confident with how we will go," Jackman said. "The women's tournament is definitely realistic. We've got some challenges but they're always going to be there."

New Zealand has previously excelled in hosting the Fifa under-17 tournament here in 1999 and the inaugural girls' under-17 tournament in 2008.

While many age group world cups have been poorly supported, especially in countries with high-profile professional leagues, both tournaments in New Zealand were well attended, with the finals at North Harbour Stadium attracting crowds of 23,000 in 1999 and 16,000 in 2008.

"Having worked on the [girls'] under-17s, I had a close relationship with Fifa at the time and they were totally rapt with how it all ran and how successful it was," Jackman said. "We got bigger numbers than we thought we were going to get, and that's what it is for them - bums on seats."

Women's football has made massive strides in New Zealand since Australia left Oceania for the Asian Confederation in 2006. Player numbers have surged and most of the Football Ferns now play professionally in Europe or for US colleges.

New Zealand are ranked 20th in the world in the women's game - they were 16th recently - and have consistently achieved results against teams ranked above them, enjoying steady progress on the road to the 2015 World Cup in Canada.