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Potential US Host Cities For 2031 Women’s World Cup Consider Withdrawal Over Fifa Backlash

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A number of American cities that are in the running to host games for the 2031 Women’s World Cup are now considering withdrawing their bids over concerns regarding Fifa’s recent handling of this summer’s World Cup. 

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Reports indicate that several cities are now primarily focusing on whether or not they want to host matches at the men’s 2031 Rugby World Cup exclusively while the US is already set to stage the women’s rugby tournament two years after. 

There are currently 40 stadiums on the US Soccer Federation’s longlist for potential 2031 venues. World Rugby has expressions of interest from 27 cities that include 33 stadiums. 

Notably, Chicago and Pittsburgh both declined to enter the running for the Women’s World Cup hosting rights due to concerns over Fifa’s financial demands, with other cities debating pulling out for the same reason. 

The Guardian reported that a source working with one of the cities said that World Rugby was offering far greater commercial freedom and fewer demands regarding access to stadiums compared to Fifa and their requests. 

Fifa also announced last month that they pulled back confirmation of the 2031 World Cup hosts from the end of this month to another undisclosed date this year. 

Other reports show that the US government has yet to provide Fifa with mandatory guarantees for 2031 regarding obligations on visas, tax, safety, and security. Those obligations are typically met before the bidding process is complete. 

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Last year, US Soccer highlighted 14 US stadiums as preferred venues on a 20-strong shortlist for the 48-team tournament with another 26 stadiums endorsed as potential venues. Seven of the 40 stadiums are hosting matches at this summer’s men’s World Cup.

Fifa has insisted that the host cities take on the cost of safety and security while they get to keep the income from broadcasting, sponsorship, and ticket sales. This “agreement” has led to a lot of tension. 

Public transportation to many of the venues within several cities have also been facing conflict in terms of funding and convenience. 

World Rugby announced their stadium shortlist before a New Zealand vs Ireland match in Chicago last November. The list itself will be reduced to be between 10 and 15 stadiums. 

World Rugby has said that they will finance the event and share profits or losses with US Rugby, as opposed to requiring the hosts to underwrite the tournament. 

The US Soccer chief executive, JT Batson, told the Guardian that “the federation had incredible demand to host in 2031.” 

Fifa released a statement regarding the bidding processes last month: 

“Fifa will convene an extraordinary congress before the end of 2026. This extraordinary congress will be a standalone event dedicated to the presentation of the bids, which will highlight the growing power and influence of women’s football and Fifa’s flagship women’s tournament.”

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Portland Public School Teachers Reach Tentative Deal After More Than Three Weeks Of Striking 

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Portland Public Schools and the Portland Association of Teachers have reached a tentative deal to end the teachers strike that’s been occurring for over three weeks, keeping schools in the area closed since November 1st. This week, more than 40,000 students were able to return to the classroom. 

According to the Portland Public Schools letter sent out to families last weekend, union members will have to ratify the terms of the agreement, and the school board will also need to approve the full contract, according to Oregon Public Broadcasting.

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“We are relieved to have our students returning to school and know that being out of school for the last three weeks — missing classmates, teachers, and learning — has been hard for everyone,” Superintendent Guadalupe Guerrero and the PPS school board said.

“We thank our students, families, and community for your patience and perseverance through these protracted negotiations. We also want to express our deep appreciation for our educators, who are the backbone of our district, and who enrich the lives of our students.”

The Portland Association of Teachers said “educators are ending the strike, securing a historic tentative agreement with key wins for student mental health support, class size, protected planning time, building health and safety protections, and cost-of-living increases.”

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The district’s statement said the “agreement includes processes for resolving class size concerns that involve impacted educators, school leaders, and parents.” The teachers union suggested parents would be more than simply involved, describing the new structure as “shared decision-making committees involving educators and parents.”

Portland Association of Teachers president Angela Bonilla stated that parents would not gain access to private student information, and further discussions will be about identifying necessary support for class sizes that are growing too large. 

“That might look like saying, ‘Hey, this class is in the small classroom on the second floor now that they have an extra student, we gotta move them to the big classroom. But we know that the best solutions to problems that we have in our schools come from the folks who actually attend them, who work at them and who send their students to those places,” Bonilla said. 

As outlined in statements from PAT and PPS, “the contract also increases dedicated planning time, access to mental health support teams for students throughout the district, and funding to address building conditions, among other things.”

“This contract is a watershed moment for Portland students, families and educators. Educators walked picket lines alongside families, students and allies — and because of that, our schools are getting the added investment they need,” Bonilla said.