The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) said Wednesday it will press ahead with a joint bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup after a FIFA decision boosted the CONCACAF region’s chances of staging the tournament.
The USSF said in a brief statement on social media that it planned to “complete the bid process to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup” in partnership with the CONCACAF regional federation and its members.
“We are excited by the opportunity to welcome teams and fans, inspire the next generation and grow the game regionally and globally,” the US federation said.
The United States and Mexico had initially planned to bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup but withdrew their candidacy last year weeks ahead of a FIFA vote in Bangkok, saying they would instead concentrate on a successful bid for 2031.
The 2027 tournament was eventually awarded to Brazil.
In a statement issued in Zurich earlier Wednesday, world governing body FIFA announced that the field of eligible regions for the 2031 hosts had been narrowed down to two — North America, Central America and the Caribbean (CONCACAF) and Africa (CAF).
A US joint bid would still face competition, however, with both South Africa and Morocco in the running to stage the 2031 tournament.
While FIFA has repeatedly signalled its willingness to take the Women’s World Cup to new territories, a North American bid would represent an attractive commercial option for FIFA with the likelihood of packed stadiums and record attendances.
North America has hosted the tournament on three previous occasions, with the USA solo hosts in 1999 and 2003, and Canada staging the event in 2015.
Hosting in 2031 would complete a busy cycle of major sporting events in North America.
FIFA is already staging its inaugural Club World Cup in the region this year, and the United States, Canada and Mexico are hosting next year’s men’s World Cup.
Los Angeles is also hosting the 2028 Olympics.
FIFA has said the vote to determine the 2031 tournament will take place at the 76th FIFA Congress ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
AFP
