FIFA Members To Cast Vote For 2027 Women's World Cup Host This Week

The FIFA Congress will decide between two candidates to host the 2027 Women's World Cup at its meeting in Bangkok this week, according to the Associated Press. The United States and Mexico withdrew their joint bid late last month, and South Africa exited the race in November. This leaves a joint proposal from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany (BNG), and another from Brazil.

This marks the first occasion that all 211 of FIFA's member associations will vote on the host for the women's tournament. Previously, the decision was made by the FIFA Council, the governing body's decision-making committee.

Brazil is considered a strong contender, especially after ranking higher in a FIFA evaluation report last week. "The document shows Brazil has fulfilled with excellency all the rigid demands of the bidding process," said Ednaldo Rodrigues, president of the Brazilian soccer confederation.

Brazil’s bid, titled "As Natural as Football," aims to inspire women and girls while raising awareness about sustainability, social responsibility, and inclusion. Brazil was also a candidate for the 2023 Women’s World Cup but withdrew due to lingering hardships from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Brazil has previously hosted two men’s World Cups (1950 and 2014) and the 2016 Olympics. A South American country has never hosted a Women's World Cup, and fellow CONMEBOL nations are likely to support Brazil's bid.

"The results published by FIFA add to our strength, so we can work harder in this final sprint," Rodrigues added. "We will work more, so we can get the biggest number of votes possible. We want everyone’s support."

Germany hosted the Women's World Cup in 2011, and the Netherlands hosted the 2017 Women's European Championship. The BNG proposal includes 13 potential host cities accessible by train.

Their bid — titled "Breaking New Ground" — is notable as it marks the first time these three traditional rivals have collaborated as prospective hosts. Belgium and the Netherlands co-hosted the men's European Championship in 2000.

"There’s a fantastic combination of knowledge from organising those big tournaments together, with some new ideas," said Heike Ullrich, secretary-general of the German soccer federation. "One very important thing for us was when it comes to organising a tournament is that it is compact ... so ‘local but global’ is one slogan."

The evaluation report highlighted risks within the legal "contractual framework" required by FIFA for hosting in the BNG proposal. Ullrich countered that any complications from working with three different governments would be resolved post-bid.

Germany will host the men’s European Championship this year, offering free local transport to ticket holders and discounted long-distance services. "It is just a question of timing, and when we take these steps," Ullrich said. "Of course we will match everything FIFA needs to have a FIFA Women’s World Cup."

Economic Benefits

Hosting the event has significant economic benefits. The Women's World Cup in Canada in 2015 drew 1.35 million spectators and generated US$493.6 million in economic activity. Last year's World Cup almost doubled this figure, generating US$865.7 million for Australia and US$67.87 million for co-host New Zealand.

The United States and Mexico withdrew their bid at the end of April after estimating a US$3 billion economic impact. However, their sports calendar is already crowded with hosting duties for the men's World Cup in 2026 and Los Angeles hosting the 2028 Olympics.

With inputs from WAM