NEW YORK — The U.S. Soccer Federation and its Mexican counterpart on Monday dropped their joint bid to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup and said they will focus on trying to host the 2031 tournament.
The decision left a proposal from Brazil and a joint Germany-Netherlands-Belgium plan competing to be chosen for 2027 by the FIFA congress that will meet on May 17 in Bangkok.
The USSF said the 2031 bid will require FIFA to invest equally in the men’s and women’s World Cups.
FIFA said last year it planned to spend $896 million on combined prize money for teams and payments to clubs for releasing players for the 2026 men’s World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada. FIFA allocated $110 million in prize money to last year’s Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand from a $152 million fund that included payments to clubs.
“Hosting a World Cup tournament is a huge undertaking – and having additional time to prepare allows us to maximize its impact around the world,” USSF President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. “I am proud of our commitment to providing equitable experiences for players, fans and all of our stakeholders. Changing our bid will allow us to host a record-breaking Women’s World Cup in 2031, which will help to grow and raise the level of women’s football, both here at home and around the world.”
When detailing the bid in December, the USSF proposed US venues among the same 11 to be used for the 2026 men’s World Cup. Mexico listed Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey – its three venues for the men’s World Cup – and for 2027 he listed Leon and Querétaro as possibilities.
“We feel that moving our bid back to 2031 will allow us to promote and build the most successful Women’s World Cup of all time,” MFF President Ivar Sisnieg said in a statement. “The strength and universality of our professional women’s leagues, coupled with our experience in organizing the 2026 World Cup, means we will be able to provide the best infrastructure as well as an enthusiastic fan base that will make all teams participants feel at home. and organize a World Cup that will contribute to the continued growth of women.”
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