USA and Mexico shift focus to 2031 Women's World Cup after withdrawing 2027 bid

In a surprising turn of events, the United States and Mexico decided to pull their bid for hosting the 2027 Women's World Cup. Unlike other bids, there was hardly any buzz about it—no worldwide campaigns or signed agreements with cities to host the games.

With FIFA voting day approaching, both countries announced on Monday that they're now setting their sights on the 2031 tournament instead. Their soccer federations shared this big move in a recent statement, reshaping the future landscape of international women's soccer.

Lack of Commitment for the 2027 Women’s World Cup

The decision by the United States and Mexico to withdraw their bid for the 2027 Women's World Cup didn't come as a total shock to those who had been closely following the process. Many insiders believed that the efforts from both countries lacked the necessary commitment from the very beginning.

Despite announcing their intentions to bid in April and barely meeting the Dec. 8 deadline to submit written materials, their engagement was perceived as lukewarm at best. Remarkably, the official "bid book" they presented was primarily a recycled version of the one they used for the men's World Cup bid in 2026.

Even more telling was their "human rights strategy," which was an unchanged document from March 2018, curiously including information about Canada despite its non-involvement in the 2027 bid. The ensuing months did little to change the perception of a half-hearted campaign, leading to their formal withdrawal.

This move leaves Brazil and the joint effort from Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands as the remaining candidates for the 2027 tournament, with a decision expected at the FIFA Congress on May 17. This twist in the bidding process could redefine strategies in the international women's soccer scene, adding a unique chapter to the sportsbook of women's World Cup history.

From High Engagement in 2026 to Limited Efforts for 2027 Women's World Cup Bid

In 2018, the effort to snag the 2026 men's World Cup was a big deal. The USA, Mexico, and Canada all worked together, with their soccer federation presidents flying all over the world. They were super busy meeting as many of FIFA's 200-plus member countries as they could to get their votes. It was a massive effort that had everyone talking and working hard for months.

But in 2024, when it came to pushing for the 2027 Women's World Cup, that kind of energy just wasn't there. The efforts were way less intense. Many cities in the U.S. that could have hosted games were already looking ahead to the men's World Cup. They had been dealing with slow talks and tough deals for months, and it sounds like none of them were ready to sign up for the same deal in 2027.

Some people who know a lot about planning for the big 2026 tournament mentioned that U.S. Soccer wasn't really getting in touch with local officials about the 2027 Women's World Cup. They only had basic chats and seemed more interested in targeting the 2031 Women's World Cup instead.

While FIFA hasn't officially started looking for places to host in 2031, they've said they'll pick a host in the spring of 2025. The competition might include countries like China, South Africa, Morocco, and maybe Brazil or England/Great Britain, depending on who gets to host in 2027.

Final Thoughts

The United States and Mexico's decision to withdraw their bid for the 2027 Women's World Cup and focus on the 2031 tournament is a significant move. It shows their commitment to hosting a world-class event but also highlights the challenges and strategic decisions involved in the bidding process.

Their earlier efforts for the 2027 bid seemed half-hearted, leading to a shift in focus towards a future opportunity. This pivot could change the game for international women's soccer, creating excitement and anticipation for what's to come. With other countries still in the running for the 2027 tournament, the competition remains fierce.

The world now looks forward to seeing how the United States and Mexico will prepare for their next big chance in 2031, hoping for a successful bid that will showcase the best in women's soccer.