With just over two weeks to go before FIFA officials gather in Bangkok on 17 May for the world governing body's Congress to decide who will host the 2027 tournament, Mexico and the United States have withdrawn their bids to host women's football's premier event.

The withdrawal of the USA and Mexico leaves two rival bids in the running for the tournament: a joint bid from Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands, and an individual bid from Brazil. The end of the USA and Mexico bid came after FIFA announced on Monday that the hosts of the 2027 tournament will be decided for the first time by an open vote at the FIFA Congress in Thailand next month.

The USA had been vying to stage women's football's flagship event for the third time, having successfully hosted the tournament on their own in 1999 and 2003. Had the USA and Mexico been successful in their bid for 2027, it would have added another major sporting event to North America's already crowded calendar.

The United States, Mexico and Canada are already preparing tohost the men's World Cup in 2026, while Los Angeles is preparing to host the 2028 Olympic Games.

This year, the United States will also host the 48th edition of the Copa America from 20 June to 14 July. Next year, the world's leading economic power will host the FIFA Club World Cup. The US Football Federation said that waiting until 2031 would give tournament organisers more time to plan and learn from the experience of hosting the 2026 Men's World Cup in the region.

"Hosting a World Cup tournament is a huge undertaking, and having additional time to prepare will allow us to maximise its impact around the world," US Soccer President Cindy Parlow Cone said in a statement. "Delaying our bid will allow us to host a record-breaking Women's World Cup in 2031 that will help grow and elevate the women's game here at home and around the world," she said. 

Ivar Sisniega, head of the Mexican Football Federation, echoed Parlow Cone's sentiments: "After careful analysis, we believe that moving our bid to 2031 will allow us to promote and build on the most successful Women's World Cup ever."

"The strength and universality of our women's professional leagues, coupled with our experience in organising the 2026 World Cup, means that we will be able to provide the best infrastructure as well as an enthusiastic fan base that will make all participating teams feel at home and enable us to put together a World Cup that will contribute to the continued growth of women's football."

Last year's Women's World Cup was held in Australia and New Zealand, where Spain were crowned champions for the first time.