Japan pulls out of race to host 2023 competition, leaving only Colombia and joint Australia-NZ bid in the running

Australia and New Zealand’s joint bid to host the 2023 Women’s World Cup has taken a significant step forward after its main rival Japan announced on Monday it was withdrawing its bid.

Ahead of Fifa executives gathering to decide the hosting rights on Thursday, The Japan Football Association [JFA] said international support for Australia and New Zealand’s bid, plus the postponement for a year of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics had been factors in the decision.

Related: Fifa single out Australia and New Zealand as best Women's World Cup bid

#BREAKING: Japan to end bid to host 2023 soccer Women’s World Cup: sourcehttps://t.co/NdxvrwkbqV pic.twitter.com/SiIrkPKLtK