The DFB Presidium has approved a proposal by the Bidding Committee, so that Germany will present twelve cities to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011. The confirmation following the Presidium meeting in Frankfurt on Friday came a day after Thursday’s selection by the Bidding Committee. DFB-President Dr. Theo Zwanziger, Dr. Thomas Bach (President German Olympic Sports Association), Engelbert Nelle (DFB Vice-President), Hannelore Ratzeburg (DFB Board of Directors) and Heike Ullrich (Department Head women’s football) are members of the Bidding Committee.
“We had 23 outstanding cities. Finding the right twelve cities was no easy task”, said Dr. Theo Zwanziger.”But I can say that the procedure was very transparent, and that we based our decision on the criteria stipulated by FIFA. Certainly, we had to consider a fair regional balance. With this line-up of twelve great cities and stadiums, we feel highly confident entering the home-stretch of the bidding phase. We will now hand over the official bid book to FIFA on August 1.”
Germany and the DFB went far beyond FIFA’s requirements. “Based on 16 participating teams, FIFA demanded four to six stadiums. By presenting twelve stadiums, we intend to send the early signal, that we would be ready for an expansion to 24 participants.”
Six of the stadiums are completely built, five of these arenas are sites for games of the German Bundesliga: Berlin (Olympic Stadium, 74,000 seats), Bochum (stadium Bochum, 24,000 seats), Frankfurt (stadium Frankfurt, 49,000 seats), Magdeburg (stadium Magdeburg, 27,000 seats), Mönchengladbach (Borussia-Park, 46,000 seats) and Wolfsburg (stadium Wolfsburg, 25,000 seats). Three other stadiums will be refurbished and expanded: Bielefeld (stadium Bielefeld, reconstruction/ modernisation until 2008, 28,000 seats), Essen (Georg-Melches-Stadion, reconstruction/modernisation until 2009, 25,500 seats) and Leverkusen (stadium Leverkusen, expansion until 2009, 30,000 seats). New arenas will be built in Augsburg (Arena FC Augsburg, 25,600 seats), Dresden (Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, 27,000 seats) and Sinsheim (TSG-Arena, 25,600 seats).
Interested cities had to deliver their documents, which were based on a 103-page list of requirements, until May 30, 2007. In addition, each city had to sign a formal obligation. Documents had to include signed master covers with the stadium and the practice facilities.
In general, the Presidium tried to steer clear of stadiums of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but has opted for Berlin and Frankfurt. “Because of the central geographic location, the international airport and the DFB headquarters located here, we would like to see Frankfurt as the logistical and organisational hub, as was the case during the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Frankfurt is also an international stronghold of women’s football”, said Hannelore Ratzeburg.
Dr. Thomas Bach, IOC Vice-President and member of the Bidding Committee, explains the reasoning behind chosing the capital as a host city: “Our entire country would love to host the 2011 FIFA World Cup. We felt that this national enthusiasm for the Women’s World Cup is best expressed by adding Berlin to the list of host cities. Berlin’s Olympic stadium, site of the 2006 final, would be a great place to start the 2011 tournament. But of course, if we get the nod, that would be up to FIFA to decide.”
Originally, 35 cities had declared their interest to host games of the 2011 FIFA World Cup. FIFA’s Executive Committee will announce the host country on August 31, 2007. Contestants are Australia, France, Canada, Peru, Switzerland and Germany.
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The DFB Presidium has approved a proposal by the Bidding Committee, so that Germany will present twelve cities to host FIFA Women’s World Cup 2011. The confirmation following the Presidium meeting in Frankfurt on Friday came a day after Thursday’s selection by the Bidding Committee. DFB-President Dr. Theo Zwanziger, Dr. Thomas Bach (President German Olympic Sports Association), Engelbert Nelle (DFB Vice-President), Hannelore Ratzeburg (DFB Board of Directors) and Heike Ullrich (Department Head women’s football) are members of the Bidding Committee.
“We had 23 outstanding cities. Finding the right twelve cities was no easy task”, said Dr. Theo Zwanziger.”But I can say that the procedure was very transparent, and that we based our decision on the criteria stipulated by FIFA. Certainly, we had to consider a fair regional balance. With this line-up of twelve great cities and stadiums, we feel highly confident entering the home-stretch of the bidding phase. We will now hand over the official bid book to FIFA on August 1.”
Germany and the DFB went far beyond FIFA’s requirements. “Based on 16 participating teams, FIFA demanded four to six stadiums. By presenting twelve stadiums, we intend to send the early signal, that we would be ready for an expansion to 24 participants.”
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Six of the stadiums are completely built, five of these arenas are sites for games of the German Bundesliga: Berlin (Olympic Stadium, 74,000 seats), Bochum (stadium Bochum, 24,000 seats), Frankfurt (stadium Frankfurt, 49,000 seats), Magdeburg (stadium Magdeburg, 27,000 seats), Mönchengladbach (Borussia-Park, 46,000 seats) and Wolfsburg (stadium Wolfsburg, 25,000 seats). Three other stadiums will be refurbished and expanded: Bielefeld (stadium Bielefeld, reconstruction/ modernisation until 2008, 28,000 seats), Essen (Georg-Melches-Stadion, reconstruction/modernisation until 2009, 25,500 seats) and Leverkusen (stadium Leverkusen, expansion until 2009, 30,000 seats). New arenas will be built in Augsburg (Arena FC Augsburg, 25,600 seats), Dresden (Rudolf-Harbig-Stadion, 27,000 seats) and Sinsheim (TSG-Arena, 25,600 seats).
Interested cities had to deliver their documents, which were based on a 103-page list of requirements, until May 30, 2007. In addition, each city had to sign a formal obligation. Documents had to include signed master covers with the stadium and the practice facilities.
In general, the Presidium tried to steer clear of stadiums of the 2006 FIFA World Cup, but has opted for Berlin and Frankfurt. “Because of the central geographic location, the international airport and the DFB headquarters located here, we would like to see Frankfurt as the logistical and organisational hub, as was the case during the 2005 FIFA Confederations Cup. Frankfurt is also an international stronghold of women’s football”, said Hannelore Ratzeburg.
Dr. Thomas Bach, IOC Vice-President and member of the Bidding Committee, explains the reasoning behind chosing the capital as a host city: “Our entire country would love to host the 2011 FIFA World Cup. We felt that this national enthusiasm for the Women’s World Cup is best expressed by adding Berlin to the list of host cities. Berlin’s Olympic stadium, site of the 2006 final, would be a great place to start the 2011 tournament. But of course, if we get the nod, that would be up to FIFA to decide.”
Originally, 35 cities had declared their interest to host games of the 2011 FIFA World Cup. FIFA’s Executive Committee will announce the host country on August 31, 2007. Contestants are Australia, France, Canada, Peru, Switzerland and Germany.
