South Africa is one of four bidders to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after meeting last Friday’s deadline to submit expressions of interest.
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On Monday, FIFA confirmed that a total of four bids have been received, including those of South Africa, Brazil, the United States, which was joining forces with Mexico, and a joint-European bid from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany.
Now that this process has been concluded, FIFA will send a bidding agreement to the four parties, who will have time until 19 May to return and confirm their interest.
This is according to Fatma Samoura, the Senegalese FIFA General Secretary, who added that the four parties in the 2027 Women’s World Cup hosting race all come from countries ‘with a strong football tradition’.
‘We are thrilled by the expressions of interest received, not least because they come from member associations with a strong football tradition representing four confederations,’ Samoura said.
‘All member associations can rely on the most robust and comprehensive bidding process in the history of the Women’s World Cup.’
The 2027 tournament is likely to have 32 teams playing a total of 64 games, though FIFA has not confirmed the tournament format.
The successful host will be appointed by the FIFA Congress via public voting on 17 May 2024.
The 2019 edition in France, won by the US, had 24 teams.
Australia and New Zealand will co-host next year’s edition of the tournament, which kicks off on 20 July.
The US, Mexico and Canada will co-host the men’s World Cup in 2026.
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