Mexico appears set to host another World Cup in less than five years after FIFA green lighted a joint hosting bid of which the Mexican Soccer Federation is a part.
FIFA, soccer’s international governing body, announced on Wednesday that the bid to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup submitted jointly by Mexico, the United States, Jamaica and Costa Rica “has a strong foundation” and will be voted on at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress on Nov. 23.
If approved (as the lone bid, it is expected to pass with little difficulty), it would mark the second FWWC to be hosted jointly after Australia and New Zealand co-hosted the 2023 tournament.
The Congress will also be considering the joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup (FWWC) submitted by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Next year’s FWWC is to be hosted by Brazil and will feature 32 teams and 64 matches. The 2031 tournament will be expanded to include 48 teams and 104 games.
The joint 2031 bid proposes 20 host stadiums across the four countries, with 14 in the United States, four in Mexico and one each in Jamaica and Costa Rica. Mexico’s proposed host cities are Mexico City (Estadio Azteca), Guadalajara (Estadio Akron), Monterrey (Estadio BBVA-Bancomer) and Torreón, Coahuila (Estadio Corona).
Following a thorough assessment of the proposal, including inspection visits to the prospective host countries, FIFA published an evaluation report indicating that the bid exceeded its minimum requirements.
“While certain commitments require further engagement, there is a sound basis for confidence that continued dialogue and collaboration with the relevant government agencies should support the successful organization and delivery of the tournament,” FIFA said.
In endorsing the bid, FIFA acknowledged the success of this year’s men’s World Cup which Mexico and the U.S. co-hosted alongside Canada.
FIFA also praised Mexico’s “longstanding record as a FIFA host, having staged the FIFA World Cup in 1970 and 1986, the FIFA Confederations Cup in 1999 and multiple youth competitions, including the FIFA U-20 World Cup 1983 and FIFA U-17 World Cup 2011.”
The technical evaluation focused on “defined priority areas, including the event vision, infrastructure, services and commercial considerations” as well as FIFA Fan Festival sites, while the risk assessment considered “safety and security, sustainability, human rights and environmental protection.”
As co-host, Mexico’s women’s team would be participating in its fourth FWWC after qualifying for the 1999, 2011 and 2015 tournaments. The El Tri Femenil also participated in the unofficial 1971 Women’s World Cup hosted by Mexico. The first FWWC was held in 1991.
With reports from Reuters, Fox Sports, FIFA and ESPN
