In a significant move for women’s football, the United States is spearheading a joint bid with Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The announcement, made by the presidents of the four national soccer federations, marks a historic collaboration aimed at delivering the most impactful tournament to date and fostering the growth of the women’s game across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.
A Groundbreaking Continental Bid
The United States Soccer Federation, alongside its counterparts from Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica, officially launched their joint proposal to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. This collaborative effort is the sole bid being considered by FIFA, with formal ratification expected at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April 30, 2026. The joint bid represents a unified vision across CONCACAF, the confederation for football in the region, embodying the “One CONCACAF” philosophy.
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone expressed immense pride in leading this bid, stating, “Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to host the biggest and most impactful Women’s World Cup in history, one that will inspire a new generation of fans and help grow the women’s game across our entire region and around the world.”. The presidents of the Mexican, Jamaican, and Costa Rican Football Federations echoed this sentiment, highlighting the historic nature of the bid for their nations and the wider region.
A New Era: The 48-Team World Cup
The 2031 tournament is set to be a landmark event as it will be the first FIFA Women’s World Cup to feature an expanded field of 48 teams, a significant increase from the 32 teams that competed in recent editions. This expansion mirrors the format change for the men’s 2026 World Cup, which the U.S., Mexico, and Canada will co-host. The 48-team format will increase the total number of matches from 64 to 104, offering greater representation and accelerating investment in women’s football globally.
Historic Firsts and Regional Impact
If successful, the 2031 Women’s World Cup will mark several significant milestones. The United States will become the first nation to host the Women’s World Cup for a third time, having previously hosted in 1999 and 2003. Mexico will host a Women’s World Cup for the first time, adding this prestigious event to its history of hosting the men’s tournament.
Crucially, both Jamaica and Costa Rica are set to experience the thrill of hosting a senior FIFA World Cup for the very first time. This is particularly momentous for Jamaica, with Federation President Michael Ricketts noting the “huge impact on the psyche of every single Jamaican” and calling it “no ordinary feat for a small country like ours to host World Cup matches.”. Costa Rica, which has hosted FIFA youth women’s tournaments, views this as one of the most positive developments for football growth in their country. The inclusion of these nations underscores the bid’s commitment to expanding the sport’s reach and fostering local `community` engagement.
A Legacy for Women’s Football
Beyond the matches themselves, the bid emphasizes a profound commitment to legacy. The federations aim to create an impactful tournament that inspires future generations, empowers women and girls through sport, and leaves a lasting foundation for global football development. There is a pledge to collaborate with FIFA to ensure the tournament’s proceeds support player development, coaching education, and infrastructure growth across member associations. This initiative is designed to set a new global standard for women’s soccer and ensure its growth far beyond 2031.
This joint bid signifies more than just a sporting event; it represents a united vision for the future of women’s football, celebrating diversity, inclusivity, and unprecedented regional cooperation. The `news` of this ambitious plan has been met with widespread enthusiasm, signaling a bright future for the sport. The formal bid book is set to be submitted to FIFA in November 2025, with the global football governing body expected to officially announce the host decision in April 2026.