US Soccer Federation and Mexican counterpart drop joint bid to host 2027 Women's World Cup

In a surprising move, the U.S. Soccer Federation and its Mexican counterpart have withdrawn their joint bid to host the 2027 Women's World Cup. Instead, they have decided to redirect their efforts to securing the hosting rights for the 2031 tournament. This decision sets the stage for a competitive bid process.

The withdrawal of the joint U.S.-Mexico bid leaves the field open for other contenders, primarily a proposal from Brazil and a joint bid from Germany, Netherlands and Belgium. These proposals will now vie for selection at the FIFA Congress scheduled to convene on May 17 in Bangkok.

The U.S. Soccer Federation has announced that their bid for the 2031 hosting rights will include a provision calling for FIFA to invest equally in both the men's and women's World Cups. This emphasis on gender equality in prize money allocation marks a significant shift in the approach to organizing and promoting international soccer tournaments.

FIFA's Financial Commitments

FIFA had previously outlined plans to allocate $896 million in prize money for the 2026 World Cup to be jointly hosted by the U.S., Mexico and Canada. In contrast, the prize money earmarked for the 2026 Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand amounted to $110 million. These figures underscore the disparities that the governing body aims to address through its partnership with potential host nations.

USSF President Cindy Parlow Cone expressed confidence in the decision, stating, "Hosting a World Cup tournament is a huge undertaking, and having additional time to prepare allows us to maximize its impact across the globe. I’m proud of our commitment to provide equitable experiences for the players, fans, and all our stakeholders."

Meanwhile, MFF President Ivar Sisnieg emphasized the potential for a successful event in 2031, saying, "The strength and universality of our professional women’s leagues, coupled with our experience from organizing the 2026 World Cup, means that we will be able to provide the best infrastructure as well as an enthusiastic fan base."

Impact on the Bid Details

When the joint bid was initially detailed in December, the USSF proposed U.S. sites from the same 11 venues slated for the 2026 men’s World Cup. Mexico, on the other hand, listed Guadalajara, Mexico City and Monterrey as potential host cities, in addition to considering Leon and Querétaro. The shift to 2031 will likely prompt a review and potential revision of these proposed venues.

With this strategic repositioning, the U.S. and Mexican soccer federations are gearing up to present a compelling case for hosting the Women's World Cup in 2031, aiming to set new standards for the global growth of women's football.