On Monday, U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Football Federation have jointly announced the withdrawal of their bid to co-host the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Instead, they will concentrate on securing the hosting rights for the 2031 edition of the tournament.
The decision comes as the U.S.-Mexico joint bid faced competition from Brazil and a combined bid from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands for the 2027 hosting rights. The FIFA Congress was scheduled to vote on the 2027 host on May 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.
Regarding the 2031 Women’s World Cup, the hosts are expected to be decided in the following year, with formal bidding yet to commence. This strategic shift allows the U.S. and Mexico to focus on preparations for the 2031 tournament, leveraging their experience from co-hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup alongside Canada.
Hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup would have presented challenges, considering the upcoming 2026 men’s World Cup in North America and the subsequent 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. By opting for the 2031 bid, both federations aim to maximize the impact of the tournament globally.
U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone emphasized the commitment to equitable experiences for players, fans, and stakeholders, stating that the decision to shift the bid aligns with this goal.
The U.S.-Mexico joint bid for 2027 projected significant commercial opportunities, forecasting record-breaking attendance and revenue. It also advocated for equal investment compared to the men’s tournament.
President of the Mexican Football Federation, Ivar Sisniega, highlighted the strength of their professional women’s leagues and experience from organizing previous tournaments, ensuring top-tier infrastructure and enthusiastic fan support for the 2031 Women’s World Cup.
The U.S. has previously hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003, winning the former and finishing third in the latter. If successful, Brazil would become the first South American country to host the Women’s World Cup, while Germany and its European counterparts aim to build on past hosting experiences, having previously organized both men’s and women’s tournaments.
