The World Cup could be coming back to Seattle just five years after making its debut on the world’s biggest sporting stage.
With the 2031 Women’s World Cup all but assured to come to the United States as part of a joint bid with Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica, Seattle was listed among the 20 host cities profiled in the newly submitted “bid book.” Just 14 of those primary cities are in the United States and only three of those are on the West Coast, with Los Angeles and San Diego also making the cut. Notably, there are an additional 16 cities listed who will receive "equal consideration."
Key to Seattle's pitch, though, is its support of professional women's athletics and its role in the pioneering 1985 U.S. women's team.
"Seattle seeks to honor the legacy of the 85ers, including eight Seattle-area pioneers who helped form the first U.S. Women’s National Team, by hosting a FIFA Women’s World Cup 2031 that drives lasting opportunity for women and girls. The World Cup will support RAVE Foundation’s statewide field-building, expand programs that keep girls active, reach more youth in under-resourced communities, and grow leadership through the Women Who Coach Initiative, which will recruit and certify 1,000 new women coaches by 2030."
None of this guarantees that Seattle will be among the cities who are ultimately included in the final bid, as this list will almost certainly be trimmed and changed. Still, it does put Seattle in as good of a position as possible.
