Date: December 13, 2023
Three strong bids have been submitted to FIFA for hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup, a significant development in women’s football. The candidates – a joint bid from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, and Brazil, and a combined bid from Mexico and the United States – each present unique propositions and strengths.
UEFA Trio: Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands
The European triumvirate of Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands officially announced their joint bid on October 19, 2020. These nations have a rich footballing history, with Germany having previously hosted the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2011 and the UEFA European Women’s Championship in 2001. Belgium and the Netherlands co-hosted the UEFA European Championship in 2000, and the Netherlands hosted the Women’s Euro in 2017. The proposed cities for this joint bid include Dortmund, Gelsenkirchen, Düsseldorf, Cologne, Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Enschede, Heerenveen, and Rotterdam.
Brazil’s Standalone Bid
Brazil, a country deeply connected to football, has also expressed interest in hosting the 2027 Women’s World Cup. Despite withdrawing from the 2023 edition due to governmental and financial challenges, Brazil has showcased its capability by hosting major events like the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Summer Olympics. The Brazilian Football Confederation, along with cities such as Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, have confirmed their intent to host, with other cities like Salvador, Brasília, Cuiabá, Belém, Manaus, and Fortaleza also showing interest. The opening match is planned at Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha, with the closing at the iconic Maracanã.
Mexico-United States Joint Proposal
The Mexico-United States joint bid, announced on April 19, 2023, projects a significant revenue of $3 billion. The United States, having hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003, and Mexico, with its experience in hosting the men’s World Cup in 1970 and 1986, bring combined expertise and infrastructure to this bid. This North American collaboration, if successful, would see the U.S. hosting the Women’s World Cup one year after co-hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup with Canada and Mexico.
FIFA’s Selection Process
The FIFA bidding process, which began on March 23, 2023, involves several key phases. These include submitting expressions of interest, confirmation of bidding intentions, bid workshops, and the submission of final bids. FIFA plans to organize on-site inspections in February 2024 and publish a bid evaluation report in May 2024. The FIFA Congress will appoint the host(s) for the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Bangkok in May 2024.
These bids represent a significant step in the evolution of women’s football, highlighting the growing interest and investment in the sport globally. Each bid brings its unique flavor and promise, setting the stage for an exciting decision-making process by FIFA in the coming months.
