America is getting ready for its soccer spotlight again! FIFA president Gianni Infantino revealed Thursday that the United States is poised to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, bringing the prestigious tournament back to American soil for the first time since 2003.
“As part of the bidding process, we received one bid for ’31,” Infantino confirmed during the UEFA Congress in Belgrade. The news comes as a major win for U.S. soccer fans and women’s sports advocates who have been pushing for the return of the tournament.
The USA previously hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003, with the 1999 final at the Rose Bowl still holding the record for the largest officially recorded international match attendance at a staggering 90,185 fans. That iconic tournament helped catapult women’s soccer into the spotlight and cemented the legendary status of stars like Mia Hamm and Brandi Chastain.
In an exciting development, Infantino also revealed plans to expand the Women’s World Cup to 48 teams by 2031 – a significant increase from the current 32-team format that will be used in Brazil 2027. This expansion mirrors the men’s tournament and signals FIFA’s growing commitment to women’s soccer.
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone has been vocal about America’s desire to host, stating earlier this year, “As soon as FIFA accepts bids, we will submit ours. And we’re going to win it.” Her confidence has now been rewarded as the U.S. emerges as the sole bidder for the tournament.
While the United States is the official bidder, there are hints that some matches could be shared with neighboring countries. “The 2031 bid is the United States of America and potentially some other CONCACAF members,” Infantino noted, suggesting a possible regional approach similar to the upcoming 2026 Men’s World Cup, which will be jointly hosted by the USA, Canada, and Mexico.
The tournament would return to the U.S. at an ideal time for women’s soccer, which has seen explosive growth in recent years. The four-time champion U.S. Women’s National Team will be hungry to reclaim glory after their disappointment in the 2023 tournament hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
In related news, the United Kingdom received Infantino’s backing to host the 2035 edition as the “only valid bid” for that tournament. England FA CEO Mark Bullingham expressed excitement about potentially hosting “the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 with our home nations partners.”
The host cities selection process will begin in the coming months, with American soccer officials working with FIFA to select approximately a dozen venues across the country. With world-class stadiums already in place and the infrastructure being developed for the 2026 men’s tournament, the U.S. is perfectly positioned to deliver an unforgettable experience for players and fans alike.
While the formal bidding documents must be submitted by the end of the year, with a vote next year to confirm hosts for both 2031 and 2035, it’s all but certain that the world’s biggest women’s soccer tournament will be coming home to America – and this time, it’s going to be bigger than ever!
