England consider launching bid to host 2031 Women’s World Cup

England are considering launching a bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2031.

The level of interest in women’s football in England continues to be on the rise following last summer’s European Championship win on home soil.

Football Association chairwoman Debbie Hewitt believes hosting a Women’s World Cup would make a huge impact on the country.

Hewitt, speaking to The Times, said: “We want to be known as a centre for successfully hosting major events.

“It has a hugely positive impact on the country and on local communities who participate, so why wouldn’t we have ambitions to host a Women’s World Cup, particularly as the women’s game is growing?

“Our mind is focused on Euro 2028 and we have a very difficult and important bid to win, but you should always keep your mind’s eye on what’s the next one and what can we do to put ourselves in good shape, and the Women’s World Cup is a very attractive proposition.”

This year’s Women’s World Cup, which gets underway on July 20, will be hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The hosts of the 2027 Women’s World Cup will be decided in May 2024.

Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands have launched a joint bid to host the 10th edition of the tournament in 2027. They face opposition from South Africa, Brazil and a joint bid by Mexico and the United States.

If Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands are victorious then England cannot win hosting rights for the 2031 World Cup as two successive tournaments cannot be held in Europe. They would therefore have to wait until 2035.

Of the prospective 2027 bidders, Germany and the U.S are the only nations to have previously hosted the Women’s World Cup. The U.S hosted the tournament in 1999 and 2003, while Germany were the host nation in 2011.

Brazil or South Africa would make history if they are selected as the hosts for the 2027 tournament, with the Women’s World Cup having never previously been hosted in South America or Africa.

GO DEEPER

Inside the minds of players preparing for the 2023 Women's World Cup

(Photo: Getty Images)