US confirms bid for 2031 Women’s World Cup after Fifa boost for region
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Fifa president Gianni Infantino has said that the 2026 World Cup final will feature a half-time show.
PHOTO: AFP
Follow topic:
LOS ANGELES – The United States Soccer Federation (USSF) said on March 5 that it will press ahead with a joint bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup, after a Fifa decision boosted the Concacaf region’s chances of staging the tournament.
The USSF said in a brief statement on social media that it planned to “complete the bid process to host the 2031 Fifa Women’s World Cup” in partnership with the Concacaf regional federation and its members.
“We are excited by the opportunity to welcome teams and fans, inspire the next generation and grow the game regionally and globally,” it added.
The United States and Mexico had initially planned to bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup but withdrew their candidacy in 2024, weeks before a Fifa vote in Bangkok, saying they would instead concentrate on a bid for 2031.
The 2027 tournament was eventually awarded to Brazil.
In a statement issued earlier on March 5, Fifa announced that the field of eligible regions for the 2031 hosts had been narrowed down to two – North America, Central America and the Caribbean (Concacaf) and Africa (CAF).
A US joint bid would still face competition, however, with both South Africa and Morocco in the running to stage the 2031 tournament.
While Fifa has repeatedly signalled its willingness to take the Women’s World Cup to new territories, a North American bid would represent an attractive commercial option, with the likelihood of packed stadiums and record attendances.
North America has hosted the tournament on three previous occasions, with the US solo hosts in 1999 and 2003, and Canada staging the event in 2015.
Hosting in 2031 would complete a busy cycle of major sporting events in North America.
Fifa is already staging its inaugural Club World Cup in the region in 2025, and the United States, Canada and Mexico are hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup.
Los Angeles is also hosting the 2028 Olympics.
Meanwhile, Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the 2026 World Cup final in New Jersey will make history by having a Super Bowl-style half-time show.
“This will be a historic moment for the Fifa World Cup and a show befitting the biggest sporting event in the world,” Infantino said.
No further information about specific details or duration of the half-time show has been revealed, but Coldplay lead singer Chris Martin and band manager Phil Harvey will determine the artists who will perform.
The move mirrors the show held during the final of the 2024 Copa America in Miami, when Colombian star Shakira performed at half-time at Hard Rock Stadium. AFP
