FIFA has indicated that the United States is poised to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, while the United Kingdom is set to welcome the 2035 edition of the prestigious tournament, which will expand from 32 to 48 teams.
With the deadline for bids now passed, both nations stand as the sole contenders for their respective tournaments. The formal bid documents are expected to be finalized by the end of April, marking a significant step in the bidding process.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed that the U.S. has expressed interest in hosting the 2031 event, and there is potential for collaboration with other nations in the CONCACAF region, likely including Mexico as a co-host.
For the 2035 World Cup, the only “valid bid” comes from British federations, primarily focused on England, as stated by Infantino during UEFA’s annual meeting in Belgrade, Serbia.
Mark Bullingham, CEO of the English FA, emphasized the significance of hosting the World Cup, the first since 1966, alongside their home nations. He noted that preparations are underway to submit a competitive bid by year-end.
The U.K.’s bid received backing from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month, coinciding with FIFA’s announcement seeking bids from member federations. Notably, FIFA excluded European nations from the 2031 bid, paving the way for the anticipated U.S. victory.
Spanish soccer officials had expressed interest in a joint bid potentially involving Portugal and Morocco, mirroring their plan for the men’s 2030 World Cup. However, Spain failed to meet FIFA’s recent deadline for expressing interest.
Infantino’s remarks at UEFA’s annual meeting suggested that Spain’s bid may no longer be feasible.
FIFA plans to announce the hosts for the Women’s World Cup next year, while Brazil is set to host the 2027 edition, which will retain the traditional 32-team format.
The Women’s World Cup returning to the U.S. marks a significant occasion, as it will be the first time since 2003 that the nation has hosted the tournament, having previously held it in 1999.
In recent years, England demonstrated its capability to host major tournaments, winning the Women’s European Championship in 2022 and preparing to co-host the men’s Euro 2028 alongside Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
