The United States is set to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, according to a senior official within the Trump administration. Andrew Giuliani, executive director of the White House’s World Cup Task Force, claimed in a recent interview that FIFA had already informed President Donald Trump of the decision, despite no formal announcement from the global football governing body.
The revelation comes as FIFA prepares to make its official decision on the hosts for both the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups. This decision is expected to be made at an extraordinary congress before the end of 2026, where FIFA’s member associations will cast their votes. Currently, a joint bid from the USA, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica is the sole entrant in the race for the 2031 tournament.
However, Giuliani added a significant caveat, stating that US agreement to host would hinge on FIFA aligning with the Trump administration’s stringent policy regarding transgender women in sport. He emphasised that it is crucial for the Women’s World Cup not to violate US policy, specifically that only biological women should participate in the tournament. This stance reflects a major domestic policy of the Trump administration, which has actively sought to block transgender athletes from competing in women's sports.
“It is important that the Women’s World Cup does not violate the policy of the United States of America in that it is important that women play in the Women’s World Cup and not biological men,” Giuliani stated. He indicated that if this policy is adopted by FIFA, discussions regarding government guarantees for hosting the event would progress rapidly. FIFA’s current approach differs from the US administration’s, as it does not conduct its own sex testing at competitions but requires national federations to verify player eligibility.
For British football fans, the prospect of the USA hosting offers a familiar and accessible destination for a major tournament, should the Lionesses qualify. However, the political implications surrounding athlete eligibility could spark significant debate and potentially impact the tournament’s inclusivity and global appeal. The Foreign Office has not yet issued any specific travel advice related to the tournament, but UK nationals planning to attend would need to monitor developments regarding US entry requirements and any changes to FIFA’s policies.