The United States is strongly positioned to co-host the 2031 Women`s World Cup alongside other nations from the Concacaf region. Simultaneously, the United Kingdom is poised to host the 2035 tournament. FIFA announced on Thursday that these are the only bids submitted for the rights to organize these two events.
While the deadline for submitting bids to host either competition is Saturday, it seems no other countries are planning to express interest. Nations meeting Saturday`s deadline will then have until May 5th to officially confirm their bids by submitting the formal bidding agreement.
U.S. Soccer had previously considered bidding for the 2027 Women`s World Cup but decided last year to focus on the 2031 tournament instead. Their initial bid included Mexico, and sources have indicated that Mexico could still be involved in hosting games in 2031. U.S. Soccer might also extend hosting opportunities to other Concacaf countries as FIFA determines the final number of teams participating in the 2031 competition. FIFA is expanding the men`s World Cup to 48 teams starting in 2026, and a similar expansion could occur for the women`s tournament by 2031.
In a statement released on Thursday, U.S. Soccer expressed their enthusiasm for the possibility of co-hosting the 2031 FIFA Women`s World Cup. They emphasized their commitment to working with Concacaf partners to create a tournament that leaves a positive and lasting impact, promoting women`s soccer globally and inspiring future generations of players and fans. U.S. Soccer also stated they will finalize their partnership structure with other Concacaf nations as FIFA decides on the tournament`s size and promised to share more details about their vision for the 2031 FIFA Women`s World Cup soon.
The U.S. has hosted the Women`s World Cup before, in 1999 and 2003. The U.S. women`s national team won their second of four titles during the 1999 tournament. The 2003 edition was originally planned for China, but due to the SARS outbreak, FIFA moved it to the U.S.
By 2031, the U.S. will also have the experience of hosting the men`s World Cup twice, in 1994 and 2026.
The 2035 edition is planned as a joint bid from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. None of these nations have previously hosted a Women`s World Cup, although England hosted the men`s World Cup in 1966, which they won. England also hosted the 2022 Women`s Euro, which broke attendance and viewership records, demonstrating significant growth in women`s soccer in the UK.
England FA CEO Mark Bullingham stated that they are honored to be the sole bidder for the 2035 Women`s World Cup. He mentioned that hosting the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 with their home nations partners would be very special and that they are starting the work to prepare the best possible bid by the end of the year.
FIFA is expected to officially announce the hosts for the 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cups in the second quarter of 2026.
2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cup Bid Timeline
- April 5: Deadline to submit interest to host the 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cup
- May 5: Deadline to confirm interest to host the 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cup by submitting the bidding agreement
- Q2 2025: Bid workshop and observer program to take place
- Q4 2025: Deadline to submit bids to FIFA
- February 2026: FIFA to conduct site visits and inspections in bidding nations
- May 2026: FIFA to publish bid evaluation reports
- Q2 2026: Designation of bids by the FIFA Council
- Q2 2026: FIFA Council to appoint hosts for 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cups; meeting location TBD
Benedict Kingsley