Costa Rica Joins Historic Four-Nation Bid for 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup

Four Nations Unite for 2031 Women's World Cup Bid

Costa Rica has formally joined a groundbreaking four-nation bid to co-host the FIFA Women's World Cup in 2031, alongside the United States, Mexico, and Jamaica. The official announcement of the expanded bid was made on Monday, October 20, 2025, in New York City, solidifying an unopposed effort to bring the prestigious tournament to North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.

This collaborative proposal is set to deliver the first-ever 48-team Women's World Cup, a significant expansion from the previous 32-team format, which will increase the number of matches from 64 to 104.

FIFA's Endorsement and Official Timeline

The bid's strong position was underscored by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who announced in April 2025 that the U.S. bid was the sole valid submission for the 2031 tournament, with the potential for other CONCACAF members to join. The official bid document is slated for submission to FIFA in November 2025. A formal decision on the host nation(s) is anticipated at the 76th FIFA Congress, scheduled for April 30, 2026, in Vancouver, Canada.

Statements from Federation Leaders

Leaders from the participating federations expressed enthusiasm for the joint venture. Cindy Parlow Cone, President of U.S. Soccer, stated, 'We're incredibly proud to be leading this bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup alongside our Concacaf partners in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.' She added, 'Together, we have an extraordinary opportunity to host the biggest and most impactful Women's World Cup in history.'

Osael Maroto Martínez, chief of the Costa Rican Football Federation, hailed the joint bid as 'one of the most positive developments for the growth of football in our country.' Similarly, Michael Ricketts, President of the Jamaica Football Federation, emphasized the profound impact the tournament would have, noting, 'This will have a huge impact on the psyche of every single Jamaican.' He further remarked, 'It is no ordinary feat for a small country like ours to host World Cup matches.'

Victor Montagliani, CONCACAF President and FIFA Vice-President, voiced the confederation's full support, stating, 'Our Confederation's commitment to women's football has never been stronger, and hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup 2031 will build on this momentum, inspiring future generations of players and fans across North America, Central America, and the Caribbean.'

Legacy and Experience

While the United States has previously hosted the Women's World Cup twice (in 1999 and 2003), this will mark the first time that Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica host matches for the senior Women's World Cup. Costa Rica brings valuable experience, having successfully hosted the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup in 2014 and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup in 2022. This prior experience is considered a significant asset for the bid.

The 2031 tournament is projected to attract an estimated 4.5 million fans across the four host nations, aiming to set a new global standard for the sport and leave a lasting legacy for women's football development.