FIFA is poised to decide the hosts for the 2027 Women’s World Cup at its congress in Bangkok, where the ongoing conflict in Gaza is expected to be discussed. Following the successful 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand, FIFA faces the choice of taking the 2027 edition to South America or returning to Europe for the first time. The congress will also address a call from the Palestinian Football Association to sanction Israel for alleged violations of international laws, although FIFA has stated it will not vote on the matter.
Delegates will weigh bids from Brazil and a joint proposal from Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany. Brazil, home to prominent women’s football figures like Formiga and Marta, appears to be the frontrunner, with its bid boasting the use of ten stadiums from the 2014 men’s World Cup, including the iconic Maracana for the opening match and final. However, concerns remain, particularly regarding the condition of the Amazonia stadium in Manaus.
On the other hand, the European bid emphasizes a compact tournament footprint and aims for commercial success, although FIFA inspectors highlighted potential challenges with the legal framework and smaller stadium sizes. The congress will vote openly for the first time, reflecting FIFA’s commitment to transparency.
Apart from the World Cup decision, FIFA will address racism in football and face challenges regarding the scheduling of the 2025 Club World Cup, with domestic leagues and player unions expressing concerns over fixture saturation.
