The Football Association’s chairman calls the potential of hosting the Women’s World Cup a ‘very attractive proposition’ a year after Euro 2022 came to England; bidding for the 2031 tournament will not begin until the outcome of host selection for the 2027 World Cup next year
22:29, UK, Tuesday 23 May 2023
FA chairman Debbie Hewitt says they are considering a bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2031.
In an interview with The timesHewitt says the FA wants to host major sporting events and is aware of the knock-on effects.
She said: “We want to be known as a center for successfully hosting major events. It has a huge positive impact on the country and on communities that take part, so why shouldn’t we have ambitions to host a Women’s World Cup , especially as the women’s game grows?”
Hewitt adds that the FA’s mind is currently focused on Great Britain and Ireland’s bid to host the men’s European Championship in 2028, but that “the Women’s World Cup is a very attractive proposition.”
Asked whether that would mean going ahead with a bid for the 2031 tournament, Hewitt said: “We would certainly consider it.”
The FA will have to await the outcome of the 2027 Women’s World Cup bidding process before making a decision on whether to bid for the 2031 edition.
There are currently four bids for the 2027 event – South Africa, Brazil, a joint USA/Mexico bid and another joint bid consisting of Germany/Netherlands and Belgium.
If a European ground succeeds and hosts the tournament, the FA must look at delaying a bid until 2035.
The hosts of the 2027 World Cup will be decided by the FIFA Congress via public vote on 17 May 2024
