The Football Association (FA) and the US Soccer Federation have formally united to challenge FIFA's proposed organisational structure for the Women's World Cups in 2031 and 2035. Both national football bodies are understood to be advocating for a model that grants host nations greater autonomy and local control, citing concerns that FIFA's current approach, which mirrors the men's World Cup framework, may not be optimally suited for the unique trajectory and growth of the women's game.
This joint initiative stems from a perceived need to tailor the operational aspects of the Women's World Cup more specifically to its evolving commercial landscape and fan engagement dynamics. While the men's tournament operates on a well-established and highly commercialised global scale, the women's equivalent is still experiencing rapid expansion, and the federations believe a more flexible, locally-driven approach could better capitalise on this growth and respond to specific market conditions in host countries.
The FA's involvement in this lobbying effort underscores a broader commitment to influencing the future direction of major football tournaments. This is further exemplified by its ongoing collaboration with UEFA to ensure that ticket prices for the Euro 2028 tournament, which will be co-hosted across the UK and Ireland, remain frozen. This move aims to make the event accessible to a wider range of fans and avoid potential price inflation that could deter attendance.
The push for increased local control over the Women's World Cup could encompass various aspects, including commercial rights, ticketing strategies, operational logistics, and even the cultural integration of the event within host communities. By seeking more direct involvement, the FA and US Soccer aim to ensure that the tournaments are not only financially successful but also leave a lasting legacy in the host nations, fostering further development of women's football.
The outcome of these discussions with FIFA will be crucial in shaping the future governance and commercialisation of the Women's World Cup. It highlights a growing desire among leading national federations to have a more significant say in decisions that directly impact the development and presentation of the sport on a global stage, particularly as women's football continues to gain prominence and attract substantial investment.
Source: Unnamed sources close to the federations