The joint bid from the United States and Mexico Football Associations for hosting the Women's World Cup in 2027 is a strategic move to build upon the momentum generated by the successful 2026 Men's World Cup, which will be co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. By leveraging the infrastructure, experience, and enthusiasm generated during the men's tournament, the joint bid aims to create a spectacular and financially lucrative event for women's football.
This bid faces tough competition from a joint bid submitted by Brazil and the alliance of Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. These formidable competitors are also vying for the opportunity to host the prestigious tournament and generate significant revenue.
The Women's World Cup has seen tremendous growth and popularity in recent years, and hosting this global sporting event would not only showcase the talent and passion for women's football in the United States and Mexico but also provide a platform to further promote the development of the sport worldwide.
With an estimated revenue of $3 billion, the joint bid envisions substantial economic benefits for the host nations and the participating teams. The significant financial potential of the tournament underscores the popularity and global appeal of women's football.
The selection process involves a thorough examination of the proposed venues, infrastructure, and organizational capabilities. FIFA, the governing body of international football, will conduct inspections of the facilities in February 2022. Following the inspections, a final decision will be made through a vote at the FIFA Congress in May of the same year.
If successful, hosting the Women's World Cup in 2027 would not only be a momentous occasion for the United States and Mexico but also an opportunity to inspire and empower young football players worldwide. It would send a powerful message that gender should never limit one's achievements in the world of sports.
The joint bid from the United States and Mexico includes 11 venues, including Arlington, Atlanta, East Rutherford, Foxborough, Houston, Inglewood, Kansas City, Miami Gardens, Philadelphia, Santa Clara, and Seattle. Additionally, Mexico has listed Guadalajara, Mexico City, Leon, and Queretaro as potential venues.
In the meantime, Brazil's bid encompasses a selection of venues, namely Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo.
The European bid includes Brussels, Charleroi, Genk, and Ghent from Belgium; Cologne, Dortmund, Dusseldorf, and Gelsenkirchen from Germany; as well as Amsterdam, Eindhoven, Enschede, Heerenveen, and Rotterdam from the Netherlands. It is noteworthy to mention that Berlin, Hamburg, and Munich, which are the three largest cities in Germany, have been excluded from the bid.
It is anticipated that the revenue in the North American region will undergo a substantial rise, surpassing the total revenue of $570 million generated by this year's Women's World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand. Brazil's proposal estimates revenues of $99 million, while the European proposal asserts that their desired revenue will surpass previous levels for the FIFA Women's World Cup.
FIFA is scheduled to perform venue inspections in February 2022, followed by a vote at the FIFA Congress in May of the same year. This forthcoming Women's World Cup host is anticipated to invigorate the advancement of women's football and deliver a powerful statement to aspiring young players across the globe, showcasing that their accomplishments know no boundaries.