Australian Sport Minister visiting Qatar to promote hosting of Women's World Cup

Australia’s Minister for Sport, Anika Wells, will fly to Qatar to represent the Government at the 2022 FIFA Men’s World Cup in Doha, Qatar.

 

As well as supporting Australia’s national men’s football team, the Socceroos, Minister Wells will take the opportunity to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 to a global audience, which will be co-hosted by Australia. 

 

Australia and Qatar have a positive bilateral relationship, based on trade and investment, aviation and education.



The visit will be a valuable opportunity for Minister Wells to engage in conversations on human rights reforms in Qatar.

 

Given the significance of the event, Minister Wells will be accompanied on the trip by Shadow Minister for Sport, Senator Anne Ruston.

 

Qatar’s hosting of the event has enabled it to show signs of progress towards advancing reform in human rights, particularly labour, which we hope will continue beyond Qatar's World Cup host year.

 

Australia and New Zealand will co-host the next FIFA event, the Women’s World Cup. This will be the first Women’s World Cup to be held in the southern hemisphere and the largest women’s sporting event in the world, with 64 matches across the two host nations.

 

Australia will draw on the experience of previous hosts, including Qatar, to ensure the Women’s World Cup delivers a range of economic and social benefits to Australia, as well as a lasting legacy.



Quotes attributable to Minister for Sport, Anika Wells:

 

“I will be following the Men’s World Cup keenly and cheering the Socceroos to glory.

 

“I will also be taking every opportunity to promote Australia co-hosting the 2023 Women’s World Cup to a global audience of football fans.

 

“The Australian Government is also committed to advancing human rights globally and Qatar’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup has provided opportunities to promote meaningful reform in human rights which we hope will continue beyond the tournament.

 

“Major sporting events can be powerful influences for social and cultural change, and I hope that is the case with the FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cups.”