Jamaica awaits signature as 2031 women's World Cup nears
Jamaica is poised to co-host the expanded 2031 women's World Cup with the United States, Mexico, and Costa Rica, but the Jamaica Football Federation says the historic deal still needs the Jamaican government's signature on FIFA paperwork before it is fully sealed. JFF president Michael Ricketts told the Jamaica Gleaner that the USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica have already signed, leaving Jamaica in the final stage before FIFA's formal announcement later this year.
Key Takeaways
- Jamaica is confirmed as one of four co-hosts for the expanded 2031 FIFA Women's World Cup.
- Sport Minister Olivia Grange announced Jamaica's hosting role in Parliament during the Budget presentation.
- Contractors told FIFA the Jamaican venue will be ready; only the government signature remains.
- Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium is proposed as a U.S. host venue in the sole bid submitted.
- FIFA is scheduled to appoint the 2031 host in November, per U.S. bid reporting.
Why is Jamaica still waiting on a government signature?
Michael Ricketts said the path to co-hosting has taken more than two years. Jamaica's place alongside the USA, Mexico, and Costa Rica is settled, but Minister of Sport Olivia Grange must sign the document and return it to FIFA.
Ricketts told the Gleaner that Grange announced the hosting role in Parliament last week. "In fact, every other country has signed except us," he said. "Costa Rica signed. Mexico signed, and the US signed."
He added that contractors assured FIFA officials during a Zoom meeting that the venue will be ready. "Everything is in place," Ricketts said. "It's just for the Government to finalise and sign the document and return it."
Which U.S. cities could host the 2031 tournament?
The United States submitted a joint bid with Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica — the only bid for the 2031 Women's World Cup, according to Spectrum News. Charlotte is among the proposed host cities, with Bank of America Stadium named as a possible venue.
U.S. Soccer's bid book describes Charlotte as a city "evolving from a regional hub into one of America's premier sports destinations," with a proven record of hosting world-class events. Momentum grew after FIFA President Gianni Infantino visited the Queen City in 2025 and called Charlotte "quite a hot candidate for a host city."
Houston is also in the conversation. KHOU has reported on why Houston could be the next home of the women's World Cup as part of the wider U.S.-led bid. Charlotte has recently hosted the 2025 Club World Cup and a U.S. men's national team friendly against Senegal in 2026.
When will FIFA make the formal announcement?
Ricketts expects FIFA to make a formal announcement later this year once Jamaica's government completes the signing process. Spectrum News reports FIFA is scheduled to appoint the 2031 Women's World Cup host in November.
If confirmed, it would mark the third time the United States has hosted the women's tournament. The expanded format reflects growing global investment in women's football — a trend we track across Future Tech & AI Wonders, from smart-stadium infrastructure to broadcast innovation reshaping how fans experience major events.
For Jamaica, Ricketts said the Parliamentary announcement "rekindled" public excitement. With venue preparations underway and peer nations already signed, the co-hosting dream now hinges on a single government signature.