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JAMAICA OLYMPIC Association (JOA) President Christopher Samuda has signalled his full support for Jamaica’s involvement in a four-nation bid to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), alongside the United States, Mexico and Costa Rica, announced a bid to host the 2031 World Cup on Tuesday in New York City.
The four-nation bid, if accepted, would see the Women’s World Cup return to the Concacaf region for the first time since 2015, when it was held in Canada.
It would also mark the first time the senior world tournament would be jointly hosted in the Caribbean region.
Remarking on the historic bid, Samuda described it as a “quadruple shot of class” and a massive achievement for Jamaican football.
“It may not be a haul in strict football terms, but I tell you, for Jamaica, its bid with the USA, Costa Rica, and Mexico to host games of the Women’s World Cup is a quadruple shot of class,” Samuda said.
“This is the screamer that Jamaica has always wanted to score, to complement the admirable successes that our women and the female programme have earned, and our men have achieved.”
Samuda also congratulated JFF President Michael Ricketts for the move and hopes Jamaica can be represented come the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games as well.
“I congratulate our member, the Jamaica Football Federation, and their partners, and applaud the Michael Ricketts-led federation for a visionary move that undoubtedly will give Jamaica more capital and brand value,” he said.
“My earnest hope is that Jamaica will be in LA in 2028 for the Olympic Games as a precursor to our arrival in 2031.”
The bid, titled ‘For Now, For Next’, is seen as a massive collaborative move for Concacaf in the women’s sport.
The 2031 Women’s World Cup will be the first of its kind to use the 48-team format and is earmarked to be the most impactful edition to date.
Ricketts called the bid “no ordinary feat” for Jamaica and is confident the island can provide a lasting memory as a World Cup host.
“It is no ordinary feat for a small country like ours to host World Cup matches,” he said. “This is absolutely tremendous.”
“We are very hopeful and optimistic that we can put together an experience that is truly memorable for our players and fans.”
He continued, “This is huge for Jamaica and for every person who proudly calls themselves Jamaican.”
The official bid will be submitted to FIFA next month, with the governing body expected to announce its decision next year at the FIFA Congress on April 30.
To date, the ‘For Now, For Next’ bid is the only formally announced bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup.
English (US) ·