CHICAGO — The women’s World Cup is set to return to the United States.

At least, that’s the hope of U.S. Soccer.

Federation president Cindy Parlow Cone announced on Saturday that U.S. Soccer is eager to host the 2031 World Cup in collaboration with Mexico, eagerly anticipating the moment FIFA opens the bidding process.

“As soon as they do, we’ll submit our bid,” Cone stated at the United Soccer Coaches Convention.

“And we’re confident that we’ll secure it.”

FIFA has yet to declare when the bidding process will commence or when the host for the 2031 tournament will be finalized. Typically, the location for the men’s event is confirmed at least seven years prior, yet FIFA only chose Brazil to host the 2027 women’s World Cup last May. Australia and New Zealand, which jointly hosted the 2023 tournament, were chosen as hosts in 2020.

However, FIFA is reportedly considering increasing the size of the World Cup in 2031 to match the men’s tournament, featuring 48 teams, which may grant the hosts additional time for preparations.

According to U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson, hosting the inaugural 48-team women’s World Cup in the United States and Mexico would be appropriate, especially since the two countries, along with Canada, will be hosting the first expanded men’s tournament next summer. The same venues used in 2026 would also serve for 2031, as confirmed by Cone and Batson.

The men’s tournament will take place across 16 cities in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with all U.S. matches held in NFL stadiums. The championship match is set for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

“America knows how to throw a sports celebration, and the women’s World Cup deserves the same vibrant atmosphere as the men’s tournament,” Batson remarked. “From a broader growth perspective and for generating commercial revenue, which is crucial for countries globally to invest in their women’s soccer initiatives, we believe we are uniquely equipped to organize an amazing event and also create the resources necessary to support women’s soccer worldwide.”

The strong interest in the 2031 World Cup from the U.S. is not unexpected. The United States and Mexico were among the early contenders for the 2027 tournament, but in April, they decided to drop their bid to concentrate on the 2031 event instead.

Cone explained that U.S. Soccer felt it couldn’t effectively promote the 2027 tournament without first addressing the men’s World Cup in 2026, as she didn’t want the women’s event to be overlooked. There was also concern that some fans might not be able to afford two World Cups in consecutive years.

“Transitioning our focus from 2027 to 2031 was challenging, but we collectively believed it was in the best interest of the sport,” Cone said. “I wanted to create the momentum necessary to direct the same attention and enthusiasm towards the women’s World Cup as we are towards the men’s World Cup.”

If the United States and Mexico are selected to host the 2031 tournament, it would mark the third occasion the women’s World Cup has been held in the United States. The U.S. previously hosted the 1999 World Cup, which highlighted the economic potential of women’s sports. Many matches took place in full NFL stadiums, and the final, with over 90,000 attendees at the Rose Bowl watching the USWNT triumph over China, set a record for women’s game attendance that lasted more than 20 years. Cone was a player on that ’99 team.

The U.S. also held the 2003 World Cup after FIFA relocated it from China due to SARS fears.

“We believe we helped establish a benchmark for women’s soccer,” Batson commented, “and we aspire to elevate that standard to new levels.”