Chicago and Portland Join 2031 Women’s World Cup Host Race

Chicago and Portland, Oregon, have emerged as potential host cities for the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup, according to a source familiar with the bidding process who confirmed the development to ESPN. Their entry expands the list of American cities seeking to stage matches at a tournament that the United States is bidding to co-host with Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica.

The development is notable for Chicago, which did not host matches at the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup after local officials raised concerns about FIFA’s financial demands. Portland also brings a strong soccer identity to the competition, with Providence Park serving as the home of the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League and the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer.

Neither city appeared in the original non-binding bid book submitted to FIFA the previous year. That document identified 27 potential host cities in the United States, meaning Chicago and Portland are seeking consideration after the initial list was assembled.

However, entering the bidding process does not guarantee either city will host a match. The commitments currently being discussed are described as open-ended and non-binding, and FIFA is expected to narrow the list of cities and venues over the coming years.

The expansion of the potential host-city pool also comes against the backdrop of disputes between FIFA and some American host cities over the costs associated with staging major international football matches. For the 2031 tournament, the challenge will be to identify venues that meet FIFA’s requirements while making financial and operational sense for the cities involved.

Why Chicago Is Reconsidering the Women’s World Cup Opportunity

Chicago’s entry into the 2031 bidding process represents a significant change from its decision regarding the 2026 men’s tournament. The city previously declined to pursue hosting rights because of concerns about the financial obligations FIFA expected local organisers to accept.

Chicago is the third-largest city in the United States and has a substantial sports infrastructure, including professional teams, major stadiums and experience hosting international football. Its decision to seek consideration for the women’s tournament suggests that local officials see potential value in revisiting the opportunity under a different set of circumstances.

According to reporting by WBEZ Chicago, Mayor Brandon Johnson’s office sent a letter supporting the city’s interest to the U.S. Soccer Federation on October 7, 2026. The Chicago Sports Commission is expected to lead the city’s effort, although the initial submission did not commit Chicago to a particular stadium.

The financial question remains central. Hosting a World Cup involves more than making a stadium available for matches. Cities may face expenses related to security, transport, public services, event operations and infrastructure, while the distribution of commercial revenue depends on the tournament’s agreements.

For Chicago, the decision will ultimately involve balancing the potential benefits of international exposure and visitor spending against the costs and risks associated with hosting. Entering the process allows the city to explore the opportunity, but it does not establish that a final hosting agreement has been reached.

How the 2026 men’s tournament influenced the decision

Chicago’s earlier withdrawal from the 2026 men’s World Cup bidding process reflected concerns about the terms required by FIFA. City officials were unwilling to accept financial obligations they considered uncertain or potentially burdensome for taxpayers.

That history is relevant to the 2031 competition because the financial arrangements for major sporting events can influence whether a city chooses to participate. A stadium’s capacity and location may make it attractive on paper, but local authorities must also consider the public resources required to support an international tournament.

The distinction between expressing interest and making a binding commitment is therefore important. The current process gives Chicago an opportunity to explore its options without assuming that participation automatically guarantees a final agreement.

Soldier Field Could Give Chicago a Major Hosting Advantage

Chicago has several potential advantages as a candidate host city, particularly its existing stadium infrastructure. Soldier Field, located near the city centre and home to the NFL’s Chicago Bears, is the most obvious option for a major international football event.

The stadium holds more than 60,000 spectators, depending on its configuration. Its size would comfortably exceed FIFA’s stated minimum capacity of 20,000 for Women’s World Cup group-stage matches.

Soldier Field also has a history of hosting major international football. It staged matches during the 1994 men’s World Cup and the 1999 Women’s World Cup, giving Chicago a record of experience with tournaments organised under FIFA’s competition framework.

The venue’s previous role in the 1999 women’s tournament is particularly relevant. The U.S. women’s national team played a group-stage match there in front of a crowd exceeding 65,000, demonstrating the stadium’s capacity to accommodate substantial interest in Women’s Football.

That history could help Chicago present a credible hosting proposal. Existing facilities and prior experience can reduce the need to create an entirely new venue, although a stadium’s suitability for a future tournament would still depend on FIFA’s requirements and the arrangements agreed with its operator.

A new stadium could provide another option

Chicago Fire, the city’s Major League Soccer club, is expected to open a new soccer-specific stadium with approximately 22,000 seats in 2028. The venue, planned for the city’s South Loop area, offers another potential option for the 2031 tournament.

Its projected capacity would exceed FIFA’s stated minimum for group-stage matches. A dedicated football stadium could also provide a different atmosphere from a large American football venue, particularly for matches where a smaller capacity might be more appropriate.

However, a projected opening date and seating capacity do not guarantee that the stadium will be selected. FIFA would need to assess the venue against its technical, operational and commercial requirements before it could be confirmed as a tournament site.

Chicago’s choice between Soldier Field and the new stadium would involve more than capacity. Organisers would also need to consider accessibility, event operations, available facilities and the financial terms associated with each venue.

Why Portland Is an Attractive Candidate for the 2031 Tournament

Portland offers a different proposition from Chicago. Rather than relying primarily on a large multipurpose stadium, the Oregon city has Providence Park, a venue with a strong connection to professional football and women’s soccer.

Providence Park is home to the Portland Thorns of the National Women’s Soccer League and the Portland Timbers of Major League Soccer. Its capacity exceeds 25,000, putting it above FIFA’s stated 20,000-seat minimum for Women’s World Cup group-stage matches.

The stadium’s existing use for professional soccer could be an advantage. Regular football matches provide an established operating environment, while the presence of both men’s and women’s professional teams reflects Portland’s place within the American soccer landscape.

The Portland Thorns, in particular, give the city a direct connection to women’s club football. Their home ground already hosts NWSL matches, creating a familiar setting for fans who follow the domestic women’s game.

Nevertheless, a strong football culture does not automatically translate into selection as a World Cup host. FIFA must consider stadium conditions, infrastructure, transport, accommodation and other requirements across the entire tournament.

The artificial-turf issue at Providence Park

One of Portland’s main venue challenges is Providence Park’s artificial playing surface. The stadium would need a natural-grass surface installed over the existing turf to host Women’s World Cup matches under the requirements described in the supplied report.

Installing temporary natural grass is a technical undertaking rather than a cosmetic change. Organisers must ensure that the playing surface is suitable for elite competition, remains stable and drains effectively, and can withstand the demands of the tournament schedule.

Such a project would also require coordination between the venue operator, local organisers and the relevant football authorities. The precise installation method, costs and timetable would depend on the eventual hosting requirements and the stadium’s technical assessment.

The surface question illustrates an important distinction between a venue that regularly hosts professional football and one that meets every requirement for an international tournament. Providence Park has a strong soccer identity, but its final suitability would depend on resolving the playing-surface issue alongside other operational considerations.

What FIFA Requires From Women’s World Cup Stadiums

Stadium capacity is one of the clearest criteria for evaluating potential host venues, but it is not the only consideration. FIFA’s tournament planning involves infrastructure, services, commercial arrangements, event operations and other requirements that must be assessed before venues are approved.

For group-stage matches at the 2031 Women’s World Cup, the supplied report identifies a minimum stadium capacity of 20,000. Both Soldier Field and Providence Park exceed that threshold, while Chicago’s planned new soccer stadium is also expected to meet it.

Meeting the capacity requirement does not guarantee selection. A venue must also be capable of supporting players, officials, spectators, media and the operational demands of an international competition.

Access to public transport, accommodation availability, security arrangements and the ability to manage matchday crowds can all affect a city’s hosting proposal. These considerations become especially important when a tournament is spread across several countries and requires coordination between different organising bodies.

Playing surfaces are another essential issue. Providence Park’s artificial turf demonstrates how a stadium can meet the seating requirement while still needing changes to satisfy competition standards.

FIFA will also have to consider how the proposed venues fit into the wider tournament schedule. Host cities need to work within a coordinated plan covering travel between matches, team facilities and the allocation of games across the participating countries.

The Four-Nation Bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup

The United States is leading a joint bid with Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica to stage the 2031 Women’s World Cup. The four football federations formally launched their campaign in October 2025, presenting a proposal intended to expand the tournament’s reach across North America, Central America and the Caribbean.

The bid is unopposed, making it the sole proposal under consideration for the 2031 edition. FIFA’s Extraordinary Congress is scheduled to appoint the hosts on November 23, 2026, according to the governing body’s published information.

Although the lack of a competing bid makes the four-country proposal the only candidate, the host appointment remains a formal FIFA decision. Chicago and Portland’s entry into the process concerns the selection of individual host cities and venues, not the identity of the countries submitting the joint bid.

The tournament is also expected to feature an expanded field of 48 teams, a change that would make the 2031 edition the largest Women’s World Cup to date. The expanded format increases the importance of careful planning because organisers must accommodate more teams, matches and spectators.

For the United States, the tournament would build on its long history of hosting major international football competitions. It previously staged the Women’s World Cup in 1999 and 2003, with the 1999 edition becoming a landmark event for the sport’s popularity in the country.

Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica would contribute different football traditions and host-city environments to the joint proposal. Sharing the tournament across four countries could broaden its geographic reach, although it would also require coordination over travel, scheduling, infrastructure and tournament operations.

How the 2031 Women’s World Cup Could Benefit Host Cities

Hosting World Cup matches can create opportunities for cities to showcase their sporting infrastructure and attract international visitors. A tournament can also provide a platform for local businesses, hospitality operators and football organisations to engage with supporters travelling for the event.

For Chicago, a successful hosting bid could reinforce the city’s position as a destination for major sporting events. The combination of Soldier Field, a planned soccer-specific stadium and established transport and hospitality infrastructure gives organisers several potential options to assess.

Portland could offer a different experience built around Providence Park and its established soccer culture. The city’s association with the Portland Thorns may also make it an appealing destination for supporters who regularly follow women’s football.

However, potential economic benefits should not be confused with guaranteed financial returns. Visitor spending, employment opportunities and wider promotional value depend on factors such as attendance, accommodation demand, event costs and the commercial arrangements governing the tournament.

Public authorities must therefore consider the full financial picture before committing resources. A city may benefit from international exposure while still facing significant hosting expenses, making transparent budgeting and clearly defined responsibilities essential.

There is also a longer-term question about legacy. Investments in stadium facilities, transport and football development can benefit communities beyond the tournament, but those outcomes depend on how projects are planned and whether the infrastructure remains useful after the event.

What Happens Next in the Host-City Selection Process?

Chicago and Portland have entered a process in which their proposals must be considered alongside other potential venues across the four participating countries. Their inclusion does not mean that either city has been selected to host matches.

The next stages will involve assessing the proposed locations and determining which venues best satisfy FIFA’s requirements. Organisers will need to evaluate stadium capacity, playing surfaces, infrastructure, transport, accommodation and the practical demands of staging an international competition.

Financial arrangements will also remain important. Chicago’s previous withdrawal from the men’s tournament illustrates how hosting costs and the allocation of responsibilities can influence a city’s willingness to proceed.

The November 23 FIFA Congress is scheduled to appoint the hosts for the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups. The 2035 competition has a separate, unopposed joint bid from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.

The selection of the four host countries for 2031 would not automatically settle the final list of match venues. FIFA and the organisers will still need to determine which cities and stadiums will form the tournament’s eventual schedule.

Chicago and Portland Add New Options to the 2031 Women’s World Cup Race

Chicago and Portland’s entry adds two established American soccer destinations to the pool of potential venues for the 2031 Women’s World Cup. Chicago offers the scale and international-event history of Soldier Field, along with the prospect of a new soccer-specific stadium, while Portland brings Providence Park’s strong connection to professional men’s and women’s football.

Each city also faces practical questions. Chicago must weigh hosting costs and the terms of any agreement, while Portland would need to address Providence Park’s artificial playing surface and satisfy the wider requirements for an international tournament.

Their bids arrive as the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica prepare for an expected FIFA decision on their joint proposal. If the bid is approved, the focus will shift to choosing the cities and stadiums capable of delivering the tournament across four countries.

For now, Chicago and Portland have secured a place in the selection process, not a confirmed role in the competition. Their eventual chances will depend on the strength of their proposals, the suitability of their venues and the arrangements they can reach with the tournament organisers.