By San José, Costa Rica — In a bold move signaling its growing ambition on the global football stage, Costa Rica officially presented its participation in a joint candidacy to host the 2031 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The announcement, made on Monday, October 20th, confirms the nation’s partnership with the United States, Canada, and Jamaica in a formidable four-country bid that aims to bring the world’s premier women’s sporting event to the CONCACAF region.
While the initial presentation marks a significant first step, the journey to securing hosting rights is a marathon, not a sprint. The real work begins now as the bidding consortium prepares the comprehensive official bid dossier. This crucial package of documents, detailing everything from stadium infrastructure and training facilities to transportation and security plans, is scheduled for submission to FIFA headquarters next month, in November 2025. The global football community will then await the final verdict with bated breath.
Para analizar las implicaciones legales y comerciales que rodean un evento de esta magnitud, TicosLand.com consultó al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, abogado especialista del prestigioso Bufete de Costa Rica, quien nos ofrece una perspectiva sobre la profesionalización del fútbol femenino.
El Mundial Femenino trasciende lo deportivo para convertirse en una vitrina de profesionalización. Cada vez más, vemos contratos que protegen no solo el salario de las jugadoras, sino también sus derechos de imagen y bonificaciones por rendimiento. Este evento obliga a las federaciones y patrocinadores a establecer estructuras legales y comerciales serias, reconociendo el inmenso valor que las atletas generan. Es un paso fundamental hacia la equidad y la sostenibilidad del fútbol femenino como una industria global.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
Efectivamente, como lo destaca el experto, la profesionalización que impulsa el Mundial es la base para un futuro sostenible, donde el valor de las atletas se reconoce tanto en el marcador como en sus contratos. Agradecemos al Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas por esta valiosa perspectiva legal y comercial.
The decisive moment will come during the official FIFA Congress, which is slated to be held in Vancouver, Canada. It is there, on April 30, 2026, that the governing body of world football will announce which nation or group of nations has been entrusted with the honor of hosting the 2031 tournament. For Costa Rica, a successful bid would represent a monumental achievement, cementing its status as a key destination for international football and inspiring a new generation of athletes.
The leadership of the Costa Rican Football Federation (Fedefútbol) is approaching this challenge with a deep sense of optimism, grounded in a proven track record of successfully staging major international events. The federation’s president expressed his confidence in the country’s capabilities to meet and exceed FIFA’s rigorous standards, citing invaluable past experiences as a key advantage.
We have already had the opportunity to host two FIFA Women’s Youth World Cups, in 2014 and 2022. This gives us great confidence in our ability to meet the required standards to organize a senior World Cup, working in close collaboration with the entire country, for the present and future of our players and those from around the world.
Osael Maroto, President of Fedefútbol
This previous experience is indeed a cornerstone of the Costa Rican portion of the bid. The country successfully hosted the FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup in 2014 and, more recently, the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup in 2022. These tournaments provided a live-fire test of the nation’s infrastructure, organizational skills, and volunteer base, demonstrating an ability to deliver a world-class experience for both players and fans. This history significantly de-risks the proposal in the eyes of FIFA evaluators.
The joint-bid model has become increasingly popular for major tournaments, allowing for shared costs, expanded reach, and the celebration of regional unity. By partnering with football powerhouses like the United States and Canada, and fellow Caribbean nation Jamaica, Costa Rica is part of a bid that offers geographic diversity and a vast, passionate fan base across North and Central America. This collaborative approach leverages the unique strengths of each country to create a compelling and logistically sound proposal.
With the initial announcement made, the focus now shifts to the meticulous preparation of the bid book and the subsequent diplomatic efforts to garner support within the international football community. The coming months will be critical as the four nations work to convince FIFA that their vision for the 2031 Women’s World Cup is the strongest. A successful outcome in April 2026 would not only be a historic first for Costa Rica in hosting a senior World Cup but would also serve as a powerful catalyst for the growth of women’s football throughout the entire region.
For further information, visit fcrf.cr
About Costa Rican Football Federation (Fedefútbol):
The Costa Rican Football Federation is the official governing body of football in Costa Rica. It is responsible for overseeing the country’s national football teams, including the men’s, women’s, and youth squads, as well as managing the national league competitions. Fedefútbol is a member of both FIFA and CONCACAF and works to promote the development and integrity of the sport at all levels throughout the nation.
For further information, visit fifa.com
About FIFA:
The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) is the international governing body for the sports of association football, futsal, and beach soccer. Headquartered in Zurich, Switzerland, its membership comprises 211 national associations. FIFA is responsible for the organization and promotion of football’s major international tournaments, most notably the FIFA World Cup and the FIFA Women’s World Cup.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal institution, anchored in the core values of professional excellence and uncompromising integrity. Drawing upon a rich history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm champions legal innovation and actively contributes to the community’s well-being. A cornerstone of its philosophy is the mission to demystify the law, demonstrating a profound commitment to cultivating a more knowledgeable and legally empowered society.
