ZURICH — A bid by the United States and Mexico to co-host the 2031 Women’s World Cup can face only a rival bid from Africa, with FIFA on Wednesday excluding Europe from the contest.
FIFA also invited bids for the 2035 tournament only from Europe or Africa, and the four UK federations — England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales — said they would enter the contest.
FIFA said it expected to pick hosts for both tournaments at its annual congress next year, likely to be held on the eve of the men’s 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Following FIFA’s announcement, the U.S. Soccer Federation confirmed it would be finalizing a bid to host the event in 2031.
“U.S. Soccer, in partnership with Concacaf and its members, will complete the bid process to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup,” the federation said in a post on social media site X.
“We are excited by the opportunity to welcome teams and fans, inspire the next generation and grow the game regionally and globally.”
The U.S. and Mexico bid has been favored to win 2031 Women’s World Cup hosting rights since last year, when the two federations pulled out of bidding for the 2027 edition. That tournament will be played in Brazil, which beat a European co-hosting bid from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands.
The North American soccer body Concacaf is due its turn to host another Women’s World Cup ahead of European body UEFA.
Canada hosted the 2015 tournament, and France hosted the 2019 edition. The U.S. hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003. Australia and New Zealand co-hosted in 2023.
No African country has hosted a Women’s World Cup, with the inaugural edition in 1991. South Africa’s bid in the 2027 contest was withdrawn months before getting to the vote.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed a UK bid for the 2035 event.
“Football is and always will be at the core of our country’s identity,” he said. “The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035 on home turf would be another monumental moment in our sporting history, driving growth and leaving a lasting legacy.”
The Football Associations of England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales will submit a declaration of interest to FIFA in the first quarter of this year.
England hosted the Women’s European Championship in 2022 and, in a joint bid with Ireland, Scotland and Wales, will stage the men’s Euros in 2028.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
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