The U.S. will submit a joint bid with Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup. This marks the first time that the competition will feature four host nations, coinciding with the tournament’s expansion to 48 teams.
U.S. Soccer officially expressed its interest in this joint hosting by meeting FIFA’s deadline last May. They previously indicated a shift in focus after abandoning plans for the 2027 tournament. Notably, Mexico, which was part of the original bid for 2027, remains a cohost for 2031 alongside Costa Rica and Jamaica, who joined the bid during an event in New York.
“We announced the bid for ‘27 with Mexico and then decided for various reasons to shift to ‘31, and then FIFA voted to increase teams to 48,” stated Cindy Parlow Cone, president of U.S. Soccer. She added that discussions included how to work with Concacaf president Victor Montagliani to ensure the inclusion of more countries with adequate facilities and infrastructure.
This 2031 Women’s World Cup is envisioned as an opportunity to advance women’s soccer throughout the region. The federations involved have dubbed their initiative ‘For Now, For Next’, anticipating a significant turnout of approximately 4.5 million fans across matches.
While this would be the third time the U.S. has hosted the Women’s World Cup, it marks the first for Mexico, while both Costa Rica and Jamaica will host senior World Cup games for the very first time.
Abby Wambach, part of the World Cup-winning team in 2015, echoed the potential impacts of this tournament, emphasizing the legacy of women in sports and how it showcases the power of persistence and achievement.
The current North American bid is the sole contender for the 2031 Women’s World Cup, with the bid book set for submission this coming November. The official vote will occur during the FIFA Congress meeting planned for Vancouver on April 30, 2026.
Host cities to be determined
Though the joint declaration from the U.S., Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup is confirmed, specific host cities will be established and disclosed later. Over 30 U.S. cities have expressed interest, with New York, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Diego, Orlando, Cincinnati, Charlotte, Nashville, St. Louis, and Indiana being represented at the recent meeting.
The city selection process is anticipated to become fully operational after the 2026 Men’s World Cup, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. This upcoming tournament will provide valuable learning insights for the entities involved, including the hosting logistics and match distributions.
The U.S. Soccer statement confirmed the commitment to achieving parity in facilities for the women’s competition, matching the standards set for the men’s competition. MetLife Stadium, expected to host the Men’s World Cup final in 2026, is under consideration as a premier venue for the Women’s World Cup bid.
