FIFA sets date to name 2027 Women’s World Cup hosts

ZURICH (AP):

FIFA set a timeline Thursday to pick the 2027 Women's World Cup host, giving would-be candidates one month to join the contest ahead of a vote in May next year.

Brazil, South Africa and a co-hosting project by Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany have previously said they want to bid for the tournament.

FIFA said its ruling council -- a 37-member global group chaired by the governing body's president Gianni Infantino -- would select up to three bids late in the campaign for a vote by more than 200 member federations.

The decision will be made at the FIFA Congress on May 17 next year, at a venue not yet announced.

FIFA set key dates Thursday leading to the vote, starting with an April 21 deadline for member federations to register interest in bidding.

They should attend the 2023 tournament in July and August, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, and file formal bids with FIFA by December 8.

The FIFA Council will appoint an evaluation panel to visit and assess the bids before publishing reports on them before the vote.

FIFA committed to "respecting internationally recognised human rights" in all "activities in connection with bidding for and hosting" the tournament.

Gifts of only "symbolic or trivial value" can be offered on behalf of bid campaigns, FIFA said, and must not be linked to any commitment of support or create a conflict of interest.

The tournament is likely to have 32 teams playing a total of 64 games, though FIFA has not confirmed the tournament format.