The United States is strongly positioned to co-host the 2031 Women`s World Cup along with other North American countries. The United Kingdom is anticipated to host the following tournament in 2035. FIFA has confirmed that these are the only bids for the rights to host both events.
The deadline for submitting bids to host either competition is Saturday, and no other nations are expected to express interest. Countries meeting this deadline have until May 5th to formally confirm their bids by submitting the bidding agreement.
U.S. Soccer previously considered hosting the 2027 Women`s World Cup but decided last year to focus on the 2031 tournament. The initial bid included Mexico, and it`s still possible for Mexico to host games in 2031. U.S. Soccer may also extend hosting opportunities to other Concacaf nations as FIFA determines the final number of teams for the 2031 tournament. FIFA is expanding the men`s World Cup to 48 teams for the 2026 edition, co-hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, and a similar expansion could occur in the women`s competition by 2031.
U.S. Soccer stated on Thursday their excitement about potentially co-hosting the 2031 FIFA Women`s World Cup and their commitment to working with Concacaf partners to create a tournament that leaves a positive impact, promotes women`s soccer globally, and inspires future generations of players and fans. They added that as FIFA finalizes the tournament`s size, they will finalize their partnership with other Concacaf nations and will soon share more details about their vision for the 2031 FIFA Women`s World Cup.
The U.S. has hosted the Women`s World Cup before, in 1999 and 2003. The U.S. women`s national team won their second of four titles during the 1999 tournament. The 2003 edition was originally planned for China, but the SARS outbreak led FIFA to move it to the U.S.
By 2031, the U.S. will have experience hosting two men`s World Cups, in 1994 and 2026.
The 2035 tournament is expected to be a joint bid from England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. None of these nations have previously hosted a Women`s World Cup, although England hosted the men`s World Cup in 1966, which they won. England also hosted the 2022 Women`s Euro, which achieved record attendance and viewership, marking a period of significant growth for women`s soccer in the UK.
England FA CEO Mark Bullingham stated they are honored to be the only bidder for the 2035 Women`s World Cup and that hosting the first FIFA World Cup with their home nations partners since 1966 would be very special. He noted that hard work begins now to create the best possible bid by the end of the year.
FIFA will officially announce the hosts for the 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cups in the second quarter of 2026.
2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cup Bid Timeline
- April 5: Deadline to submit interest to host the 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cup
- May 5: Deadline to confirm interest to host the 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cup by submitting the bidding agreement
- Q2 2025: Bid workshop and observer program to take place
- Q4 2025: Deadline to submit bids to FIFA
- February 2026: FIFA to conduct site visits and inspections in bidding nations
- May 2026: FIFA to publish bid evaluation reports
- Q2 2026: Designation of bids by the FIFA Council
- Q2 2026: FIFA Council to appoint hosts for 2031 and 2035 Women`s World Cups; meeting location TBD
