The Federation of International Football Associations (FIFA) says more than 500,000 tickets have been sold for the ninth FIFA Women’s World Cup will hold in Australia and Aotearoa, New Zealand.

A statement on the website of the world football governing body on Tuesday said that the tickets were sold to fans from more than 120 countries for the tournament billed for July 20 to August 20.

“The tournament moved past 500,000 ticket sales last week, with the most sought-after match of the tournament being the August 20 final at Stadium Australia in Sydney/Gadigal,” FIFA stated. “The opening match and opening ceremony for the first-ever co-hosted women’s tournament will take place on July 20 at Aotearoa New Zealand’s Eden Park in Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau.”

It added, “Stadium Australia in Sydney/Gadigal has been selected to host the final a month later on 20 August.”

FIFA explained that the tournament, the first-ever 32-team FIFA Women’s World Cup, will be a truly global celebration of football and welcome teams qualified for the first time in their history.

The statement reported FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura said the ticket sales were off to a great start.

”This highlights the fantastic pull of the female game and the passion it evokes among the global football fandom, who want to be part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup and see the event reach #BeyondGreatness,” she said. 

(NAN)