United States Poised To Host 2031 Women’s World Cup

The United States is poised to stage the 2031 Women’s World Cup after Fifa boss Gianni Infantino said the country is the sole bidder for the tournament. Infantino confirmed in an address to Uefa’s annual congress in Belgrade that the U.S., probably alongside other Concacaf members, had a clear path to staging the event. The U.S. is the only candidate for the 2031 edition.

“I can confirm that we have received one bid for 2031, and one valid bid for 2035,” said Infantino “The 2031 bid is from the USA and potentially some other Concacaf nations. The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.”

Last April U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Soccer Federation announced their intention to bid for the 2031 tournament. The two associations pulled out from the race to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup which FIFA awarded to Brazil. The Athletic previously reported that US was exploring staging matches in Costa Rica and Jamaica for the 2031 finals.

FIFA requires the bidding nations to submit their bid in the last quarter of this year. FIFA will award the hosting rights in 2026.

The U.S. hosted the tournament back-to-back in 1999 and 2003. The tournament in the late ‘90s is considered a watershed moment in the women’s game with the host taking the tournament and the American public by storm, winning the competition following a penalty shootout in the final against China.

The tournament will cap a boom time for soccer in the U.S. This summer the country will play host to FIFA’s expanded Club World Cup, a tournament that the world governing body hopes will generate a sustainable revenue stream. It will also serve as a dress rehearsal for the 2026 World Cup when the U.S. will co-host the 48-team finals with Mexico and Canada. In 2028, Los Angeles will stage the Olympic soccer tournament.

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The Women’s World Cup is played in a 32-team format, but an expansion by 2031 is possible. Infantino first raised the prospect at the FIFA Congress in Bangkok last year. In Belgrade, he said: “Our idea – we will discuss this further at the FIFA Council before the Congress in May. Our idea is actually to increase there, as well, the number of participating teams from 32 to 48, to equal it with the (FIFA) Men’s World Cup as of 2031.”

In the overviewing of hosting requirements, published in March, FIFA wrote: “The requirements contained in this document are based on the current 32-team competition format. For the avoidance of doubt, this remains subject to change. Should any such change arise, all requirements (whether referenced in this document or elsewhere) will be adapted accordingly with sufficient time for all bidders to take this into consideration in the preparation of their bids.”