According to a rotation principle among the continental associations, Fifa states that the World Championship 2031 can only be applied for by national associations that are members of the African Football Association (CAF) or countries in the North and Central American and Caribbean Football Association (Concacaf).
CAF countries can also apply for the World Championship 2035, but then they may face competition from member countries in the European Football Association (Uefa), according to Fifa in a press release.
In Japan, the news was received with disappointment. The Asian country had set its sights on the World Championship 2031.
"For us, this is very disappointing news," says Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, chairman of the Japanese Football Association, in a statement, according to the news agency AFP.
The country is now considering submitting a future bid for the World Championship 2039 or a championship later in time.
This summer, it will be two years since the World Championship was decided in Australia and New Zealand, and with the World Championship in Brazil 2027, all continents except Africa will have had the opportunity to host a women's football World Championship.
The decision on the World Championship 2031 and 2035 is expected to be made during the Fifa Congress in the second quarter of 2026.
Fifa also announces that the first edition of the club team World Championship for women will be played in 2028. A total of 16 teams will play the final tournament, divided into four groups of four teams.
