Japan is vying to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, aiming to rejuvenate its domestic women’s football scene and close the gap with Europe and North America, according to the country’s football chief, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto.
Japan, the 2011 Women’s World Cup champions, has since been eclipsed by the rise of women’s football in Europe. Miyamoto, now president of the Japan Football Association (JFA), expressed hopes that hosting the event would reignite interest in women’s football, similar to how the 2002 Men’s World Cup—which Japan co-hosted—sparked national enthusiasm for the sport.
Despite launching the professional WE League in 2021, Japan has struggled to attract the same level of attention as leagues in Europe and the United States. Competing for hosting rights in 2031, Japan will face strong bids from countries like England, China, and a joint proposal from the United States and Mexico.
Miyamoto emphasized the need to increase female participation in football and lamented Japan’s failure to fully capitalize on the momentum from their 2011 World Cup victory, noting that interest dwindled soon after their triumph.