China Thinking Big With Soccer, Bids for Women’s World Cup

Women’s sports are more popular than ever — and China wants to compete at the highest level. 

The country’s General Administration of Sport has announced plans to bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

The GAS will “aim to finish in the top three in the competition as well as at the 2032 Olympics” as it plans to develop and popularize women’s soccer in the country. 

• The Chinese Women’s Football Reform and Development Programme aims to steadily improve China’s women’s league system by 2025.
• Plans included 50 teams competing across three league divisions.
• China’s national team hopes to finish in the top eight at the 2023 World Cup. 

The reform and development plan —  backed by China’s Ministry of Finance and the Chinese Football Association — also includes increased overseas training and matches against foreign competition. 

World Cup Frenzy 

FIFA has rejected several bids for media rights to the 2023 Women’s World Cup for being too low, according to its chief business officer Romy Gai. 

FIFA has yet to name the broadcasters that submitted bids but rejected offers from Italy, Germany, France, and the U.K. It is also expected to deny a bid from Spain.

There won’t be a problem for women’s soccer fans Down Under, as Australian commercial broadcaster Seven Network has secured free-to-air media rights for the tournament, which will be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.