More teams, revenue, fans

The FIFA Women's World Cup 2023 will be groundbreaking in more ways than one way. It will be the first with 32 teams, up from the 24 nations who competed at last year's Finals in France, won by the United States. That means more matches and more revenue to be ploughed back into women's football.

The sports-mad host nations are expecting 1.5 million spectators, which would be another record, while prize money is set to be most ever offered, reflecting the growth of the game.

It will be the first women's World Cup co-hosted by cooperating nations and the first to take place in the southern hemisphere.

The FIFA Council decided to award Australia/New Zealand hosting rights beating their South American rivals Colombia and Shaikh Salman declared it – "a great day for women’s football and another show of faith in Asia’s outstanding ability to host global events."

The decision, announced by FIFA in what was the early hours of the morning in Australia and New Zealand, sparked emotional reactions among sleep-deprived players and fans.

FFA and NZF thanked the FIFA Council for their landmark decision on Thursday, which will see the two countries host a tournament of firsts ─ the first ever co-confederation hosted FIFA World Cup, the first ever FIFA Women’s World Cup to be held in the Asia-Pacific region, and the first ever to be held in the southern hemisphere.

The victory was, in truth, just rewards for a side that – after an initial wobble – rarely looked back. A richly deserved trophy for a team which played attacking, expansive football, for players who all skipped to the same beat. Players who were united by their desire to succeed.

This June and July, the-AFC.com celebrates Asia’s contribution to the greatest show on earth by reliving 20 of the continent’s best FIFA World Cup goals.

We've previously looked at free-kicks, long-range efforts, solo brilliance and acrobatic stunners, and our latest compilation will not disappoint. So here's five volleys to recall some of the best and most dramatic 'no bounce' strikes the AFC Cup has seen.

Don't forget to vote for your favourite at the bottom of the article!