FIFA president points to US hosting 2031 Women's World Cup and UK getting 2035 edition
'We look forward to sharing more details and unveiling our full vision for the 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup in the near future,' the US Soccer Federation said in a statement.
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FIFA has just one 'valid bid' to host the 2035 event, from the British member federations centered on England, Infantino said at UEFA's annual meeting in Belgrade, Serbia.
'Hosting the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 with our home nations partners will be very special,' English FA CEO Mark Bullingham said. 'The hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.'
The UK's interest was quickly supported last month by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer when FIFA said it was formally seeking bids from member federations. FIFA excluded Europe from the 2031 contest, clearing the way for a long-expected US win.
Spanish soccer officials said last week they hoped to bid, possibly with Portugal and Morocco in a repeat of the co-hosting plan for the men's 2030 World Cup. It was unclear why Spain did not then meet Monday's deadline set by FIFA to express interest in bidding.
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Infantino's comments to the annual meeting of UEFA seemed to rule out a Spain bid now being allowed.
'So the path is there for the Women's World Cup to be taking place in '31 and '35 in some great countries,' the FIFA president said, 'to boost even more the women's football movement.'
FIFA is scheduled to confirm Women's World Cup hosts next year. The 2027 edition with 32 teams is being hosted by Brazil.
The Women's World Cup would return to the US for the first time since the 2003 edition. The US also hosted in 1999.
England hosted the Women's European Championship in 2022 — which the home team won — and the men's Euro 2028 will be co-hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland.
In a further boost for women's soccer, Infantino detailed FIFA's plan to have more women's teams than men's playing at the next Olympics.
There were just 12 teams in the women's tournament at the 2024 Paris Olympics and 16 in the men's tournament.
Though the International Olympic Committee strongly supports gender equality at the games, adding four more women's teams — and about 70 extra players, plus team officials — would push the limit of agreed athlete quotas for organizers in Los Angeles.
Infantino said on Thursday that FIFA's new proposal is to flip the numbers to have 16 women's teams and 12 in the men's tournaments.
The final decision is for the IOC, which has an executive board meeting next Wednesday.
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