2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup host decision imminent: Brazil vs. Belgium-Netherlands-Germany

In a fortnight, the FIFA Congress in Bangkok will decide the host nation for the 2027 Women’s World Cup following the withdrawal of the United States-Mexico joint bid.

Brazil and the combined bid from Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany are the remaining contenders, with South Africa pulling out last year.

This paves the way for an early duel for the 2031 hosting rights, with both South Africa and the US/Mexico expressing intentions to bid then, ensuring ample time for meticulous tournament organization.

Cindy Parlow Cone, U.S. Soccer President, emphasized the enormity of hosting a World Cup and highlighted the advantage of extra preparation time to maximize global impact and elevate the women’s game.

Concerns loomed over the potential overshadowing of the Women’s tournament by the upcoming FIFA Men’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada in 2026, coupled with Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics.

Brazil’s bid proposes utilizing existing stadiums across ten cities, most of which were integral to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, promising the event’s first-ever staging in South America, culminating at Rio de Janeiro’s iconic Maracanã Stadium.

Under the slogan “Uma Escolha Natural” (A Natural Choice), Brazil aims to inspire girls and women worldwide to pursue football careers, both on and off the field.

The combined bid of Belgium, Netherlands, and Germany, encapsulated by the slogan “Breaking New Ground,” pledges alignment with FIFA’s vision and strategy for women’s football, offering a compact footprint connected by modern rail within a 300 km radius.

Thirteen established stadiums, with minimal renovation required, will host matches, with five in the Netherlands and four each in Belgium and Germany.

While Germany previously hosted the tournament in 2011, it would mark the maiden hosting for Belgium and the Netherlands in the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The last tournament was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023.

FIFA’s final vote is scheduled for May 17.

Spain are the reigning world champions after they beat England 1-0 in the final of the 2023 edition to claim their maiden title.