In a strategic move, the Mexican and United States soccer federations withdrew their bid to host the 2027 Women's World Cup, choosing to target the 2031 tournament, taking advantage of future opportunities and improvements.
Monday saw a major change in the international landscape of women's soccer when the Mexican and United States Soccer Federations announced they were withdrawing their joint bid to host the 2027 Women's World Cup and, instead, will set their sights on the 2031 tournament, a decision that reflects a broader strategy to maximize the success and impact of the event. .
Strategic postponement for better preparedness
The federations' joint statement stressed that the postponement will allow them to benefit from the lessons and expected successes of the 2026 Men's World Cup, which will be hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. This approach aims to enhance support for the host cities, expand media partnerships, and engage more deeply with fans, with the aim of delivering an unprecedented tournament.
This decision comes with the increasing importance of the amount of investment in women's sports. The federations highlighted an unprecedented commitment to matching levels of investment in men's tournaments, addressing long-standing disparities, and seeking to unlock the full commercial potential of women's competition.
With Mexico and the United States withdrawing from the 2027 race, FIFA will now choose between Brazil's remaining bids and the joint bid from Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands at its congress scheduled for May 17 in Bangkok, Thailand.
The 2027 tournament will mark the 10th edition of the Women's World Cup, a competition previously hosted by countries including China, Sweden, the United States, Germany, Canada, France, and most recently Australia and New Zealand in 2023.
A strategic vision for success
“After careful analysis, we believe that postponing our bid until 2031 will allow us to move forward and prepare for the most successful Women’s World Cup in history,” Ivar Cesnega, president of the Mexican Football Federation, said in the press release. We are committed to “organizing an unforgettable and historic event for the benefit of players and fans.”
This strategic delay reflects a growing trend in Latin America and beyond, where countries increasingly recognize the importance of comprehensive preparation and significant investment to host major sporting events. The approach adopted by Mexico and the United States emphasizes the shift towards greater equity in sport, and recognizes the importance of equal investment in men's and women's competitions as a means of promoting the sport and improving its commercial potential.
The decision also reflects a broader commitment to women's football, which has seen tremendous growth in popularity and employment opportunities over the past decade. With the goal of organizing the 2031 World Cup, the federations are striving to host the tournament and encourage the development of the sport, ensuring that infrastructure, commercial opportunities and fan engagement are on par with men's tournaments.
The broader impact of such a decision extends beyond immediate logistical and financial considerations. It represents a cultural shift toward valuing women's sports as deserving of equal attention and investment as their male counterparts. This is particularly important in regions such as Latin America, where football forms an important part of the cultural fabric, and such movements could significantly impact perceptions and support for women's sports across the continent.
Furthermore, this decision is in line with global trends in which more countries are leveraging major sporting events for long-term economic and social benefits. By hosting such a prestigious global event, Mexico and the United States aim to highlight their countries and achieve significant social and economic benefits, including tourism, international exposure and domestic economic stimulation.
Building a lasting legacy
As preparations for the 2031 show begin, the focus will be on creating a legacy beyond the tournament itself. This includes building sustainable sports infrastructure, improving youth and community engagement programs and ensuring the event stimulates wider social benefits, particularly in promoting gender equality in sport.
Read also: New cash prize for Olympic gold medalists: a boost for Latin American athletes
The strategic decision by Mexico and the United States to target the 2031 Women's World Cup represents a considered and ambitious approach to organizing the sport. It underscores a commitment to equality, preparedness and long-term planning that promises a successful tournament and a transformative impact on women's football globally.
“Lifelong travel trailblazer. Food nerd. Award-winning music enthusiast. Twitter guru.”