South Africa withdraws its bid for the 2027 Women’s World Cup, preferring to prepare for 2031

South Africa announced on Saturday that it was withdrawing its bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2027, preferring to avoid a “rushed presentation” to Fifa in December.

Fifa had set December 8 as the deadline for candidates to submit their detailed plans for hosting the competition.

«We felt that it would be better to present a better prepared bid for 2031, rather than a rushed presentation», said the President of the South African Football Association, Lydia Monyepao.

Following this withdrawal, three bids remain in the running to host the 2027 World Cup: one from Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany; another from the United States and Mexico; and finally, one from Brazil.

The country or countries selected will be decided at the Fifa Congress to be held in Bangkok in May.

The last Women’s World Cup was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in the summer of 2023 and won by Spain.