Collaboration Between Concacaf Nations Aims to Host the Largest and Most Impactful Women’s World Cup
US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone announces the partnership with Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica
On Monday, the United States announced its collaboration with Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica to bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. This partnership, led by the United States, aims to organize what would be the largest and most impactful Women’s World Cup in history. The announcement was made during an event in New York, where US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone expressed her enthusiasm for the opportunity.
“Together, we have an extraordinary chance to host the biggest and most impactful Women’s World Cup ever,” Parlow Cone stated. “We are proud to lead this bid for the 2031 tournament alongside our Concacaf partners in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.”
Background on the Bidding Process
In April, FIFA President Gianni Infantino revealed that the United States was the sole candidate to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, which will feature an expanded 48 teams for the first time. At that time, Infantino hinted at a potential collaboration with other Concacaf members.
The final proposal, which includes Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica as co-hosts for the first time, must be formally approved by the FIFA Congress on April 30, 2026, in Vancouver.
The Significance of the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica’s Collaboration
The United States, a powerhouse in women’s football that previously hosted the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003, had initially worked on a joint project with Mexico to host the 2027 tournament. However, this proposal was withdrawn just weeks before FIFA’s vote in Bangkok, where Brazil was chosen to host the tournament with 32 teams.
Following this, the United States and Mexico committed to developing a stronger bid for 2031, as they have no competition for this edition. Parlow Cone expressed her optimism about their chances, stating, “As the only candidates for the 2031 World Cup, I like our prospects.”
Mexico and Costa Rica’s Football Development
Mikel Arriola, President of the Mexican Football Federation, and his Costa Rican counterpart, Osael Maroto, attended the event. Arriola emphasized the confidence FIFA and Concacaf have placed in their federations to further promote women’s football development.
Costa Rica, which has hosted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2022, now aims to host a full Women’s World Cup for the first time. The Costa Rican Football Federation President highlighted the significance of this bid for the growth of football in his country.
“This bid represents one of the most positive advances for football growth in our nation,” he said. “We firmly believe we have all the necessary elements to provide the best experience, infrastructure, and human talent for the tournament.”
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the significance of this collaboration? This partnership between the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica aims to organize the largest and most impactful Women’s World Cup in history.
- Why are Mexico and Costa Rica involved in this bid? Both nations have shown commitment to women’s football development and have previously hosted FIFA youth tournaments. This collaboration allows them to co-host the Women’s World Cup for the first time.
- What does this mean for women’s football in these countries? The successful bid would further promote women’s football in all participating nations, providing a platform for growth and development.
- How many teams will participate in the 2031 Women’s World Cup? The tournament will feature an expanded 48 teams, marking the first time this format is used in the Women’s World Cup.
