06/24/26 02:57:00
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06/24 14:56 CDT As eyes are on the men at the World Cup, the Women's World Cup
countdown has begun
As eyes are on the men at the World Cup, the Women's World Cup countdown has
begun
By ANNE M. PETERSON
AP Soccer Writer
While most of the soccer world is focused on the men at the World Cup, the
countdown has begun for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil.
The women's tournament is set to start June 24, 2027, hosted by a South
American country for the first time. Brazil hosted the men's World Cup in 1950
and 2014.
"I think that the host country, it sleeps and breathes football. So, I think
just the energy you're going to see from the public, the general public, and
obviously the teams touching down in Brazil, I mean, it's such a unique,
special country," FIFA chief football officer Jill Ellis said at an event
Wednesday in Miami. "I think the same energy you're going to feel right now
when you bring the world together, and you have an incredible product in
women's football, I mean, the level of quality the players is so extraordinary
that I think, honestly, it will be an epic showcase of football and fandom."
In addition to Miami, a countdown event was also held in Rio de Janeiro. Even
in Vancouver, British Columbia, at Wednesday's World Cup match between
Switzerland and co-host Canada, video signage flashed with ads for the upcoming
women's tournament.
All eight cities that will host women's matches next year also hosted men's
games in 2014: Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Fortaleza,
Porto Alegre, Recife and Salvador.
Qualification for the tournament has already begun. Brazil, which has an
automatic spot as host, has never won the women's tournament and it remains to
be seen whether Marta, the six-time FIFA world player of the year, will be on
the national team. The 40-year-old Marta has never won a major international
tournament.
Thirteen other teams have also qualified, including Australia, Philippines,
Japan, North Korea, China, South Korea, Argentina, Colombia, New Zealand,
Germany, France, Spain and Denmark.
"There is only one year left until the moment that will be marked in the
history of our country. For the CBF (Brazilian soccer confederation) and for
all Brazilians, it is a source of great pride to host the Women's World Cup,"
federation president Samir Xaud said in a statement. "It will be an opportunity
to show the world our passion for football and, above all, the strength of
Brazilian women's football. We are certain that this will be a transformative
World Cup, capable of inspiring girls in all regions of Brazil and leaving a
lasting legacy."
The first Women's World Cup was hosted by China in 1991. The United States has
won the most titles with four. Spain won the last title in 2023 at the
tournament co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Women's soccer has experienced exponential growth in the past decade, with new
leagues, increasing viewership and revenues. The Women's World Cup in Brazil
will be the last with 32 teams. In 2031 the event will include 48 teams, like
the men's tournament.
The 2031 World Cup is expected to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, Costa
Rica and Jamaica. The formal decision will likely be announced in November.
"I think when we went to 32 there was some noise, are we're ready, are there
going to be blowouts? We saw an incredibly competitive landscape. We saw
debutantes making the knockout rounds. I think the global game is accelerating
so fast that countries are closing the gap a lot faster," Ellis said. "Our job
is to make sure teams come in there as prepared and ready as they can, so we
have the most competitive World Cup. So I think the growth of the game is
accelerating rapidly, and I think by 2031 we certainly will have a very
competitive World Cup."
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AP World Cup coverage: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
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