FIFA Says U.S., U.K. Are Sole Bidders for ’31, ’35 Women’s World Cups

The United States and United Kingdom are expected to land the new-look women’s World Cups in 2031 and 2035, respectively, with no competitive bids in their way. 

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Thursday in Serbia that neither bid faces competition after a deadline passed. The formal vote is next year.

The women’s World Cup expanded from 24 to 32 teams in 2023, and it will expand again to 48 in 2031.

Infantino said the United Kingdom is the one “valid bid” to host the 2035 event and that the U.S. is the lone country interested in the 2031 tournament, though Mexico would likely be included in its bid. China had reportedly been interested in 2031, but FIFA said earlier this year that only bids from Concacaf and African nations would be considered.

“We are honored to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035,” English FA CEO Mark Bullingham said. “Hosting the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 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.”

The most recent Women’s World Cup to be played on U.S. soil was in 2003, which was the country’s second consecutive time hosting after holding the 1999 tournament. 

The 2027 women’s World Cup will be played in Brazil and will have 32 teams. Netflix has exclusive U.S. rights for the 2027 and 2031 tournaments. Fox has aired the women’s World Cup in the United States since 2015.