Nordic bid to host Women’s World Cup in football

The football associations of Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden have conducted a feasibility study for a joint bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027.  They propose that any bid be based on Nordic values and that other events be held in all six countries during the same period as the matches are being played. The Nordic Council is enthusiastic about the idea.

“Working together on a huge project like the World Cup is a fantastic opportunity to put the Nordic region on the map and bring us even closer together. Woman’s football has exploded in popularity. Our committee is in complete agreement that we really must seize this opportunity,” says Kjell-Arne Ottosson, chair of the Committee for Knowledge and Culture in the Nordic Region.

The football associations made their presentation to all four of the Nordic Council committees. They liked what they heard and will now send a clear political signal to all of the Nordic governments. The committees issued a joint statement on the bid.

The committees are convinced that a joint Nordic bid has multiple benefits and a range of positive advantages over one submitted by a single country. An international sporting event the size of Women’s World Cup has a significant impact on the environment and requires major financial and staff resources. All of this calls for sustainable solutions. A joint bid spreads the risk and provides an opportunity for all of the countries to enjoy the benefits of hosting such an event.

Representatives of all six of the countries involved presented their plans to the Session. It will take another year before a decision is made on whether or not to submit a joint bid, but backing from the Nordic Council means a great deal to the national associations.

“We are delighted with the commitment that the Nordic Council has shown to our initiative. The fact that they highlight issues such as gender equality and sustainability fits in extremely well with our plans,” says Karl Erik Nilsson, President of the Swedish Football Association.

The Nordic countries are often seen as pioneers in organised women’s football. However, it still does not enjoy anything like equality with the men’s game. A World Cup on home soil would attract greater attention and funding, which were important arguments for supporting the bid.

“After this presentation, we now understand how big the event is and what a boost it would give to tourism. It has the potential to put the Nordic region on the world map in a completely new way, so it is gratifying that so many cities are keen to play their part. In fact, they will compete to be involved. There will be no need to force anybody to join in,” says Pyry Niemi, chair of the Committee for Growth and Development in the Nordic Region.

Niemi is seeking to attract the support of all of the Nordic governments and will send a letter to the Ministers for Nordic Co-operation to underline the importance of the governments backing the plan.