It appears 2026 won’t be the only World Cup held in the United States in the coming years.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said the United States is poised to be named as host of the Women’s World Cup in 2031. USA Soccer later confirmed the news.
Infantino told the UEFA Congress in Belgrade that the U.S. is the only bid put forward for the 2031 soccer tournament. He added that the United Kingdom, through a joint bid by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, was the only “valid bid” of interest for the 2035 tournament.
“The ‘31 bid is from the United States of America and potentially some other Concacaf members together and the ‘36 bid is from Europe from the Home Nations so the path is there for the Women’s World Cup to be taking place in ‘31 and ‘35 in some great countries and some great nations to boost even more the women’s football movement,” he said.
It is unclear which CONCACAF nations would host alongside the U.S., but Mexico appears likely.
America previously hosted the women’s tournament in 1999, with the hosts winning on an iconic penalty kick by Brandi Chastain in front of 90,000 fans at the Rose Bowl, and in 2003, when the Americans finished third. 2031 will be the first time a nation has hosted three women’s tournaments.
The UK has never hosted a Women’s World Cup. England hosted the Women’s Euros in 2022, winning the tournament on home soil.
The U.S., Canada and Mexico are hosting the first 48-team World Cup for the men next year.
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“We are excited about the opportunity to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and, in collaboration with our @Concacaf partners, are committed to delivering a tournament that leaves a lasting legacy - one that elevates women’s soccer across the world and inspires future generations of players and fans,” U.S. Soccer said in a statement on Thursday.
“As FIFA finalizes the number of participating teams in the tournament, we will solidify our partnership structure with fellow Concacaf nations. We look forward to sharing more details and unveiling our full vision for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the near future.”
The U.S. has won the women’s tournament four times, more than any other country. The 2027 tournament will be held in Brazil.
A vote will take place next year to confirm hosts for 2031 and 2035.
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