U.S. eyes ‘31 Women’s WC to help grow sport

The U.S. has “not yet formally won” the bid to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup but various figures from the U.S. Soccer Federation and NWSL are “already looking six years ahead to harness the power of hosting the tournament.” FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday said that the U.S. submitted the only “valid bid” to host the 2031 tournament before the governing body’s deadline. The longer runway allows for “significant planning time, especially with the potential to build upon” hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup alongside Mexico and Canada, and the 2028 L.A. Games. U.S. Soccer CEO J.T. Batson said, “Your ability to use the World Cup as a catalyst is before, not after. So starting way early on, that is something that we’re really excited about.” Batson called the U.S. a “co-host” for the 2031 tournament rather than a host. Washington Spirit owner Michele Kang said, “Hopefully, this will be a catalyst for a lot of cities. Even from an infrastructure perspective, I’m trying to convince our area that the World Cup is coming and Washington, D.C. could be the center of women’s football, not just government and political power. We’re trying to use that as an opportunity to expand the presence and get women’s football squarely in the mainstream” (THE ATHLETIC, 4/6).