Winning 2023 Women's World Cup host country status would bring $500m boost to Australia

Joint bid for 2023 tournament with New Zealand to be decided this week and would offer chance of soft diplomacy

Australia and New Zealand's push to host the 2023 Women's World Cup could result in diplomatic gains with China and other Asian countries, and long-term trade boosts, as economists also predict half a billion dollars will flow into the host nations.

Ahead of Fifa executives gathering to decide the hosting rights on Thursday (early hours of Friday morning in Australia), business analysts and trade experts believe the popularity of football, particularly in Asia, will serve as a gateway for soft diplomacy with China. They also predict a spike in local participation in the game will boost local health outcomes for women in the region.