Historic Bid: U.S. Joins Forces with Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica for 2031 Women’s World Cup
In a groundbreaking announcement, U.S. Soccer has revealed that it will partner with Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, setting the stage for the largest tournament in the event’s history. This collaborative bid aims to unite the region and elevate women’s soccer on a global scale.
The announcement was made during a press conference in New York, where representatives from the four soccer federations expressed their excitement about staging the monumental 48-team, 104-game event. The United States, a consistent powerhouse in women’s soccer, is expected to host the majority of matches, solidifying its role as the centerpiece of this historic tournament.
A Unified Front for Women’s Soccer
While Mexico was already anticipated to join the bid, the inclusion of Costa Rica and Jamaica underscores a commitment to regional unity in advancing women’s football. The last Women’s World Cup held in the CONCACAF region took place in 2015 in Canada, making this bid a significant return for the tournament to North America.
U.S. Soccer Federation President Cindy Parlow Cone emphasized the transformative potential of this collaboration, stating, “Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to host the biggest and most impactful Women’s World Cup in history. We aim to inspire a new generation of fans and help grow the women’s game across our entire region and around the world.”
A Legacy Beyond 2031
The 2031 tournament will mark the first time the Women’s World Cup returns to the United States since 2003, the same year it also hosted the event in 1999. The recent withdrawal of a planned U.S.-Mexico bid for the 2027 competition allowed the federations to focus their efforts on 2031, paving the way for Brazil to host the upcoming Women’s World Cup in 2027.
FIFA had designated North America or Africa for the 2031 event, and following a review, the U.S.-led bid emerged as the only valid entry. Final details are expected to be confirmed next month, with FIFA likely to approve the bid during meetings scheduled for spring in Vancouver.
Support from Regional Leaders
Victor Montagliani, president of Concacaf, expressed strong support for the four-nation bid, highlighting the commitment to women’s football within the confederation. “Our confederation’s commitment to women’s football has never been stronger,” he stated.
The logistics of the tournament are already being discussed. The United States has numerous stadiums available, while Mexico is looking at venues used for the upcoming men’s competition, including facilities in Mexico City, Monterrey, and Guadalajara. Costa Rica plans to nominate its national stadium in San Jose, while Jamaica will need to upgrade its national stadium in Kingston to meet World Cup standards.
Michael Ricketts, president of the Jamaican federation, stated, “It is no ordinary feat for a small country like ours to host World Cup matches. This is absolutely tremendous.”
