Two joints bids and a solo bid to host the 2027 Women's World Cup were submitted to Fifa by the deadline, Friday, Dec. 8.
The U.S. and Mexico are hoping to co-host the tournament, as are Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, while Brazil submitted an individual bid.
South Africa had planned to submit a bid but withdrew to focus on preparing a stronger proposal for the 2031 edition of the tournament.
Fifa will make on-site inspections in February 2024 before announcing the successful bid in May.
So what works in favor of, and against, each candidate?
U.S. and Mexico
The U.S., Mexico, and Canada are together hosting the next men's World Cup in 2026, so a successful bid would mean hosting the two biggest events of the sport back-to-back.
U.S. Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone argued that this is an advantage, rather than a drawback.
"The U.S. and Mexico are in a unique position to host a World Cup that will leverage the same venues, infrastructure, and protocols used for the Men's World Cup just a year prior."
The U.S. hosted the Women's World Cup in 1999 and again in 2003 after the SARS outbreak moved the tournament from China. The USWNT have won four times, in 1991, 1999, 2015, and 2019, but faced their earliest-ever exit after losing to the Netherlands in the round of 16 in this year's competition, hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands
Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands have also submitted a joint bid to Fifa, emphasizing sustainability and successful accommodation and travel.
All matches would be hosted across in a relatively compact area spanning the three countries' borders, with proposed cities including Brussels, Amsterdam, Cologne, and Dusseldorf.
Germany last hosted the cup in 2011, after having won in 2003 and 2007, but it would be the first time for Belgium and the Netherlands.
"Extensive and detailed consultations between the three federations along with key stakeholders including central governments dates back to 2021," the Dutch football federation (KNVB) said in a statement.
"This has led to alignment around the belief that our countries are well-placed to stage a Fifa Women's World Cup 2027 of unparalleled quality and impact."
Brazil
The only solo bid, Brazil proposed stadiums in Belo Horizonte, Brasilia, Cuiaba, Fortaleza, Manaus, Porto Alegre, Recife, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and Sao Paulo, with estimated revenue at $99 million, not including broadcast deals.
Brazil is the most successful country in the men's tournament with five titles, and has twice hosted the men's World Cup, most recently in 2014.
The Brazilian sports ministry said in a statement that "The Brazilian bid to host the Women's World Cup is part of the current government policy of stimulus to bigger participation of women in soccer."
Like the U.S., Brazil's women's team faced a surprise early exit this summer, failing to progress past the group stage.
