体坛英语新闻：French President congrats to FFF on winning bid for 2019 women's soccer World Cup

PARIS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- French President Francois Hollande has sent his congratulations out late on Thursday after France was chosen to host the 2019 women's soccer World Cup by soccer's governing body FIFA.

"This is tremendous news for the development of women's football and for our country," read the press release issued by the French presidency office, the Elysee.

"The President of the Republic welcomes the choice and congratulate the French Football Federation and all those who helped," it continued.

Earlier on Thursday evening, the FIFA announced to award the hosting rights for the 2019 women's World Cup and the Under-20 women's World Cup in 2018 to France.

Represented by President of the French Football Association (FFF) Noel Le Graet, the French bid team beat their counterparts of South Korea with a unanimous decision taken by the FIFA Executive Committee.

Five countries and regions declared their interest in hosting the events, namely England, France, South Korea, New Zealand and South Africa, but only France and South Korea submitted their official bid documents last October.

As the biggest single-sport event played by women, the FIFA Women's World Cup is quadrennial since 1991 in China. The seventh edition is due to be played in Canada from June 6-July 5 this summer.

Canada 2015 will be the first women's World Cup finals with a participation of 24 teams, eight more than previous tournament and 12 more than its first edition. Defending champions Japan have been the first team from outside Europe and North America to lift the title.