FIFA Announces Hosts for Women’s World Cup 2031 and 2035

In a significant announcement, FIFA President Gianni Infantino indicated that the United States is set to host the Women’s World Cup in 2031, with the United Kingdom slated to follow suit in 2035. This revelation took place during the UEFA Parliament meeting on Thursday in Belgrade.

Details of the Bids

Infantino clarified that the bid submitted by the United States is the sole valid proposal for the 2031 edition, while the UK’s bid, which encompasses joint efforts from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, is the only noteworthy contender for the 2035 tournament.

“As part of the bidding process, I received one bid for ’31, one bid, a valid bid. I need to add it to 35,” Infantino stated.

“The ’31 bid comes from the United States, potentially other Concacaf members together, and the ’35 bids come from Europe from home.”

The Impact of This Announcement

This marks a pivotal moment for women’s soccer, as the tournaments in 2031 and 2035 are poised to expand the reach and impact of the sport. Historically, the UK has not yet hosted a Women’s World Cup, although England successfully hosted and won the Women’s Euro 2022.

Notably, England’s men last hosted the World Cup in 1966, making this upcoming event particularly historic. The bid for 2035 has garnered enthusiasm from various stakeholders, including British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who publicly endorsed the project as soon as FIFA called for bids from member federations.

Competitive Landscape

While Spain explored a tripartite bid with Portugal and Morocco to host future tournaments, Infantino maintained that only the bids from the UK and the US were recognized as valid for 2031 and 2035, leaving little room for alternative proposals. He emphasized that the focus would remain on the established bids from the two nations.

The History of Women’s World Cups

The U.S. has previously hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999, 2003, and will now be leading the charge for another edition in 2031 with expectations of expanding the tournament to include 48 teams, building on the successful format seen in Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

Looking Ahead

With formal bids required by this winter, FIFA is set to finalize the selections for the upcoming Women’s World Cups next year. The anticipation surrounding these tournaments reveals a commitment to growing women’s soccer on a global scale.

As we approach these landmark events, the enthusiasm for women’s soccer continues to grow, inspiring new generations of players and fans alike.

Information from the Associated Press contributed to this report.