Washington, D.C., could host some World Cup games after all.
In 2031.
The still-to-be-built Washington Commanders stadium was among 14 U.S. sites listed as potential hosts for the women’s World Cup in 2031 in the bid book submitted Friday, Nov. 28, to FIFA by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The four countries have the only bid for what will be an expanded, 48-team tournament, and FIFA will officially announce the host April 30, 2026.
FIFA also released the bid book for the 2035 tournament, a joint bid by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That tournament also will be awarded in April.
The United States and Mexico are co-hosting the men’s World Cup with Canada next summer, and the 2031 tournament would make use of many of the same stadiums. But Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and Washington, D.C., are also on the list of cities and stadiums for FIFA to evaluate as possible 2031 hosts.
Washington was famously snubbed when the final list of host cities for the men’s World Cup in 2026 was released, the omission blamed on the state of Northwest Stadium and the toxicity of then-Commanders owner Dan Snyder. But Snyder is gone, and new Commanders owner Josh Harris is planning a $3.7 billion stadium on the old RFK Stadium site.
Washington is also an epicenter for women’s soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit played in the NWSL final for a second consecutive year last weekend, and Spirit owner Michele Kang has invested heavily in the game in the United States and Europe.
‘Washington will use this platform to create safe places to play, elevate women in leadership, and ensure every girl can see herself in the game,’ according to the description of Washington in the bid book.
Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and New York/New Jersey, all of which will hold games in 2026, are also listed as potential hosts. Mexico added Torreón to 2026 hosts Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.
Costa Rica and Jamaica identified one host city each, San José in Costa Rica and Kingston in Jamaica.
The tournament will be held in mid-June through late July, though specific dates were not given. The bid book also did not specify which countries would host which games. Given Costa Rica and Jamaica’s stadiums seat a maximum of 37,000, however, it’s likely the United States would host the latter knockout-round games, including the final.
In 2026, Mexico and Canada are hosting games through the round of 16. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are all in the United States, with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium.