- The US and Mexico have withdrawn their joint bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, opting to focus on the 2031 tournament instead.
- The decision was made to allow for more time to prepare for hosting a World Cup tournament, aiming to maximize its global impact.
- The US and Mexico’s future bid for the 2031 tournament will call for equal investment as the men’s tournament, marking a significant step forward.
- The withdrawal could impact the future hosts of the 2027 tournament, with Brazil and a joint bid from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands remaining as potential candidates.
Newsypeople- The United States and Mexico, in a surprising move, withdrew their joint bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup just weeks before the FIFA Congress in Thailand was due to vote on the tournament’s hosts. This decision was made in favor of focusing on a bid for the 2031 edition of the tournament instead. The withdrawal was announced by both U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Football Federation (FMF), marking a significant shift in their strategic planning for hosting major international football events.
The rationale behind this decision was multifaceted. U.S. Soccer highlighted that by delaying their bid to 2031, they would be able to fully leverage the lessons learned from the 2026 men’s World Cup, which was jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/73316301/1638825499.0.jpg "USA and Mexico Withdraw Bid to Host 2027 Women's World Cup")
USA and the Mexico have withdrawn their joint bid to host the 2027 Women's World Cup.
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 29, 2024
They will instead focus on a bid for the 2031 tournament that calls for equal investment as the men's tournament. pic.twitter.com/vTh0brNceP
This approach would also allow for greater support for host cities, potentially accommodating both men’s and women’s matches. Additionally, the decision was aimed at ensuring equal investment in the Women’s World Cup compared to the men’s tournament, considering the U.S.’s other hosting obligations for smaller tournaments and the 2028 Olympics.
The withdrawal leaves the 2027 Women’s World Cup with two main contenders: a joint bid from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and a solo bid from Brazil. Brazil, having hosted the men’s World Cup in 2014, is considered a strong favorite for the 2027 tournament, especially with the growing investment in South American football. The European joint bid, while strong, faces stiff competition from Brazil, which could be a strategic move for FIFA to boost the women’s game in the region.
The decision to focus on the 2031 tournament was also supported by the U.S. Soccer President, Cindy Parlow Cone, who emphasized the importance of maximizing the tournament’s global impact and providing equitable experiences for players, fans, and stakeholders. Similarly, Mexico’s Football Federation chief, Ivar Sisniega, expressed confidence in the ability to host a successful Women’s World Cup in 2031, leveraging the strength of professional women’s leagues and the experience gained from organizing the 2026 World Cup.
This move marks a significant shift in the international football calendar, with North America’s focus shifting from the 2027 to the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The decision reflects a strategic reevaluation of priorities and resources, aiming to maximize the impact of hosting major international football events while ensuring equitable and sustainable growth of the women’s game.
