The African continent will not be hosting the FIFA World Women’s World Cup anytime soon after FIFA, the world governing football body, received only expression of interest documents from CONCACAF and UEFA for the 2031 and 2035 editions.
The deadline for submission was 31 March 2025.
In their circular to Member Associations date 6 March 2025, FIFA had invited interested parties to submit their expression of interest document by the set deadline. CAF were to fight it out with CONCACAF for the 2031 event, and with UEFA for the following (2035) tournament – and CAF had to choose only from one of the two dates.
FIFA has received documents from the U.S Soccer Federation who intend to have a joint bid with other Member Associations from CONCACAF for the 2031 competition, while for the 2035 event England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales have confirmed their interest to submit a joint bid.
Speaking at a UEFA Congress in Belgrade on Thursday (3 April), FIFA President Gianni Infantino broke the news.
“I can confirm that, as part of the bidding process, we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035. The 2035 bid is from Europe from the Home Nations. The path is there for the Women’s World Cup to be taking place in 2031 and 2035 with some great countries in some great nations to boost even more the women’s football movement.”
The bids must still be ratified by FIFA but with no other opposing interest, it is almost a forgone conclusion that these will be formally announced in next year, scheduled for the second quarter of 2026.
The USA have twice hosted this tournament before – in 1999 and 2003.
“We are excited about the opportunity to co-host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup and, in collaboration with our CONCACAF partner, are committed to delivering a tournament that leaves a lasting legacy – one that elevates women’s soccer across the world and inspires future generations of players and fans,” said the US Soccer Federation in a statement.
“As FIFA finalizes the number of participating teams in the tournament, we will solidify our partnerships structure with fellow CONCACAF nations. We look forward to sharing more details and unveiling our full vision for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup in the near future.”
As for the England, it will be the first time they host this competition.
“We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035. Hosting England’s first FIFA World Cup since 1966, along with our home nations partners, will be very special. The hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year,” said England FA Chief Executive, Mark Bullingham in a statement.
The next step will be for the interested parties to formerly submit their Bidding Agreements to FIFA by the end of April 2025.
Deadline to submit bids to FIFA has been set as 28 November 2025, with the host nation/s announced in the second quarter of next year.
Brazil will host the 2027 competition from 24 June to 25 July, with 32 teams taking part in 64 matches.
Spain are the current holders after claiming their first title two years ago at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup which was held in Australia and New Zealand.
Key dates for the bidding teams:
31 March 2025:
Deadline to submit the completed declaration of interest forms to FIFA
30 April 2025:
Deadline to submit the completed Bidding Agreements to FIFA
2 May 2025:
FIFA to dispatch bidding and hosting documents and content to the bidding member associations
28 November 2025:
Deadline to submit bids to FIFA
Q2 2026:
Expected timing of the publication of the Bid Evaluation Reports
Q2 2026:
Expected timing for the designation of bids by the FIFA Council (if necessary) and selection of hosts by the FIFA
There have been eight hosts countries before in this tournament, with the USA and China having held the competition twice before.
LIST OF HOST COUNTRIES:
| YEAR | HOST | CONFEDERATION |
| 1991 | CHINA | AFC |
| 1995 | SWEDEN | UEFA |
| 1999 | USA | CONCACAF |
| 2003 | USA | CONCACAF |
| 2007 | CHINA | AFC |
| 2011 | GERMANY | UEFA |
| 2015 | CANADA | CONCAFAC |
| 2019 | FRANCE | UEFA |
| 2023 | AUSTRALIA/NEW ZEALAND | AFC & OFC |
By Matlhomola Morake
