The US Football Association (UEFA) announced Thursday that it is jointly bidding for the 2031 Women’s World Cup with the federations of Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica.
At the official launch ceremony of the four-nation joint bid held in New York on the same day, “We are proud to be a 2031 co-host of the women’s World Cup with our north, Central and Caribbean partners Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica,” said USFA President Cindy Palo Cohen. We have a rare opportunity to co-host the largest and most far-reaching women’s World Cup in history. This World Cup will inspire a new generation of fans and help the development of women’s football in our region and around the world.”
At the ceremony, Victor Montagliani, president of the North American and Caribbean Football Federation and vice-president of FIFA, expressed full support for the four countries’ joint bid, the federation’s“Commitment to women’s football has never been stronger”.
According to the bidding process, a formal joint bid and related documents from the four countries will be submitted to FIFA in November 2025. FIFA is expected to announce the final 2026 of the 2031 Women’s World Cup at its congress in Vancouver, Canada, in April.
The 2026 Men’s World Cup, to be held in the US, Mexico and Canada from June to July next year, is the first with 48 teams. FIFA announced this year that it would increase the number of teams in the women’s World Cup finals from 32 to 48, the same as in the men’s 2031. The 48 teams will be divided into 12 groups and the total number of games will be increased from 64 to 104, with the games extended by one week.
The United States has hosted the women’s World Cup twice, in 1999 and 2003, and won the tournament four times. The 2027 Women’s World Cup will be held in Brazil.