United States and Mexico pull out of proposed collaboration to host the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup.
The federations have decided to put their focus on bidding for the 2031 Women's World Cup instead, with a request for equal investment compared to the Men's tournament to remove any existing funding imbalances and achieve the tournament's full commercial potential.
The departure of the US and Mexican bids now leaves just two contenders for the 2027 Women's World Cup hosting rights: the Brazilian Football Confederation and a combined bid from the Royal Belgian Football Association, Royal Netherlands Football Association, and German Football Association.
The announcement of the chosen host for the 2027 tournament will occur at the FIFA Congress in May.
CNN has contacted FIFA for their response to the withdrawal announcement by the US and Mexican federations.
In a statement, US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said, "Organizing a World Cup is a large responsibility, and by having more time to prepare, we can ensure its success on a global scale."
She added, "We are dedicated to providing equal opportunities for players, fans, and all stakeholders involved. By relocating our bid to 2031, we can showcase a groundbreaking Women's World Cup that will boost and improve the quality of women's football both in our country and around the world."
Although the US and Mexico may not be hosting the Women's World Cup in 2027, they will still face a busy international soccer schedule in the coming years.
Upcoming events include the FIFA Club World Cup in 2025, the 2026 Men's World Cup held in North America with the participation of the US, Mexico, and Canada, and the 2028 summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
President of the Mexican Football Federation, Ivar Sisniega, stated, "With the knowledge we gain from co-hosting the Men's World Cup in 2026, we will be equipped to offer the best facilities and an enthusiastic fan base. This will allow us to produce a successful World Cup that promotes the advancement of women's football."
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Source: edition.cnn.com
