FIFA Women's World Cup 2027 hosts to be announced

After the resounding triumph of the Women's World Cup 2023 in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand, the stage is now set to unveil which nation will be bestowed the privilege of hosting the tournament in three years time. It will be decided for the first time ever through an open vote.

Two proposals from member associations representing different confederations have been submitted. The Royal Belgian Football Association, the German Football Association and the Royal Netherlands Football Association (joint submission), will go up against the Brazilian Football Association.

The upcoming tournament will mark the 10th edition of the 2027 Women's World Cup. Prior to the 2023 event, China PR, Sweden, the USA, Germany, Canada, and France have all hosted the competition at least once. Spain are the current holders, joining the ranks of nations such as the USA (with four titles), Germany (with two), Japan, and Norway as victors of the highly coveted trophy.

With the draw taking place on Thai soil, women's goalkeeper Sukanya Chor Charoenying has since reflected on her side's 13-0 thrashing back in 2019 at the hands of the USA in Reims, France. "We were so ready to play against them (the USA). We truly believed that we'd put up a hard game for them," she recalls.

Thailand were on the wrong end of a 13-0 obliteration from USA back in 2019. GETTY IMAGES

The now 36-year-old was part of the Thailand side that suffered the resounding defeat against Megan Rapinoe's all-conquering USA team, who handed them the biggest defeat ever witnessed in a World Cup finals match, whether men's or women's.

"I couldn't accept it," Sukanya continued. I used to refuse to watch any clips from that game for years. I didn't talk to my family about it at all. You know what made me really sad about it? It's that I knew everyone was watching back home. That day we were heartbroken that we had disappointed the Thai people."

The USA team were. mocked for their celebrations after the rout, though Thai skipper Kanjana had no qualms and believed they were right to celebrate in the way they did. "I think if they went easy on us, that is far more disrespectful," she said.

"To not hold back, that's the way of professional football. We realised that we had to put as much effort into development as them to be at the same level. At the time, being a professional footballer wasn't a career."