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Jamie Spencer

USA and Mexico withdraw joint bid for 2027 Women's World Cup and look to 2031 instead

The United States and Mexico will prioritise a bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup after officially pulling out of the race to host in 2027.

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  • USA & Mexico won't be hosting 2027 Women's World Cup
  • Bid delayed until 2031 tournament
  • Official statement explains reason for decision

  • WHAT HAPPENED?

    U.S. Soccer and the Mexican Football Federation confirmed on Monday that their joint bid for the 2027 World Cup, a year after both nations will co-host the 2026 men's tournament with Canada, has been formally withdrawn. Instead, the neighbouring countries intend to use the experience of 2026 to strengthen a revised bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup.

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  • THE BIGGER PICTURE

    The 2027 joint bid forecasted 4.5 million fans, with projections of selling out large stadiums. But it also faced potential challenges attracting high-level sponsorship, sandwiched directly between the 2026 World Cup and Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics. The bid was calling for the same investment as the men's tournament and will retain that for the 2031 proposal, although there could be competition from England by then.

  • WHAT A U.S. SOCCER STATEMENT SAID

    Explaining the decision, a U.S. Soccer statement read: "The revised bid will allow U.S. Soccer to build on the learnings and success of the 2026 World Cup, better support our host cities, expand our partnerships and media deals, and further engage with our fans so we can host a record-breaking tournament in 2031."

  • WHAT U.S. SOCCER PRESIDENT CINDY PARLOW CONE SAID

    "Hosting a World Cup tournament is a huge undertaking – and having additional time to prepare allows us to maximize its impact across the globe," said Parlow Cone, herself a World Cup winner on home soil in 1999. "I'm proud of our commitment to provide equitable experiences for the players, fans and all our stakeholders. Shifting our bid will enable us to host a record-breaking Women's World Cup in 2031 that will help to grow and raise the level of the women's game both here at home as well as across the globe."

  • Marta Brazil Women 2023Getty

    WHAT NEXT FOR THE 2027 WOMEN'S WORLD CUP?

    Just over three years out from the 2027 World Cup, there is no assigned host. By contrast, the next three men's World Cup tournaments up to and including 2034 have confirmed locations. Like the United States/Mexico bid, a South African bid has also been withdrawn. It leaves two remaining: Brazil, and a joint venture from Germany, Belgium and Netherlands. FIFA will soon publish its bid evaluation report, with the winning bid to be announced at the upcoming FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17.