US-Mexico Bid for 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup Gets Clearer Path

A planned joint bid for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup from the United States and Mexico will be the front-runner as it would only face a rival bid from Africa, with FIFA on Wednesday excluding Europe from the contest.

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.

No African country has hosted a Women’s World Cup. South Africa’s bid in the 2027 contest was withdrawn months before getting to the vote.

The U.S. hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003. Mexico has never hosted the Women’s World Cup. The two countries along with Canada will co-host the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.

FIFA also invited bids for the 2035 Women’s World Cup only from Europe or Africa. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer backed a 2035 bid as 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.

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.

FIFA Women’s Club Competitions

FIFA also announced on Wednesday that it has approved the FIFA Women’s Champions Cup and FIFA Women’s Club World Cup.

The inaugural edition of the quadrennial FIFA Women’s Club World Cup will take place in January–February 2028. Europe will get five entries and two each go to CONCACAF, South America, Africa and Asia. The host venue has yet to be decided, FIFA said.

“Women’s football has reached new heights at national-team level and now it’s time for global competitions that showcase the best clubs from around the world,” said FIFA President Gianni Infantino. “These FIFA competitions will stimulate growth, inspire athletes, create new rivalries, engage more fans and crown heroes from all over the world.”

The FIFA Women’s Champions Cup will bring together the six continental club champions from the full season preceding the tournament and will be held every non-FIFA Women’s Club World Cup year.

“These are more than just new tournaments — these are drivers for the future of our sport that will raise standards, provide invaluable opportunities for growth and local development, and generate new revenue,” said Jill Ellis, FIFA chief football officer.