New Washington Commanders stadium could hosts games at 2031 World Cup

Washington, D.C., could host some World Cup games after all.

In 2031.

The still-to-be-built Washington Commanders stadium was among 14 U.S. sites listed as potential hosts for the women's World Cup in 2031 in the bid book submitted Friday, Nov. 28, to FIFA by the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica. The four countries have the only bid for what will be an expanded, 48-team tournament, and FIFA will officially announce the host April 30, 2026.

FIFA also released the bid book for the 2035 tournament, a joint bid by England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. That tournament also will be awarded in April.

The United States and Mexico are co-hosting the men's World Cup with Canada next summer, and the 2031 tournament would make use of many of the same stadiums. But Charlotte, Denver, Minneapolis, Nashville, Orlando, San Diego and Washington, D.C., are also on the list of cities and stadiums for FIFA to evaluate as possible 2031 hosts.

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta

Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City

Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico

Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

BMO Field – Toronto

SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

BC Place – Vancouver, Canada

Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

Lumen Field – Seattle

NRG Stadium – Houston

Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

MetLife Stadium – East Rutherford, New Jersey (hosting World Cup final)

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

AT&T Stadium – Arlington, Texas

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Mercedes-Benz Stadium – Atlanta

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Arrowhead Stadium – Kansas City

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Estadio BBVA – Monterrey, Mexico

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Estadio Akron –Guadalajara, Mexico

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

BMO Field – Toronto

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

SoFi Stadium – Inglewood, California

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

BC Place – Vancouver, Canada

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Hard Rock Stadium – Miami Gardens, Florida

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Lumen Field – Seattle

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

NRG Stadium – Houston

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Levi's Stadium – Santa Clara, California

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Lincoln Financial Field – Philadelphia

What stadiums will host the 2026 World Cup? See all 16 in North America

Gillette Stadium – Foxborough, Massachusetts

Washington was famously snubbed when the final list of host cities for the men's World Cup in 2026 was released, the omission blamed on the state of Northwest Stadium and the toxicity of then-Commanders owner Dan Snyder. But Snyder is gone, and new Commanders owner Josh Harris is planning a $3.7 billion stadium on the old RFK Stadium site.

Washington is also an epicenter for women's soccer in the United States. The Washington Spirit played in the NWSL final for a second consecutive year last weekend, and Spirit owner Michele Kang has invested heavily in the game in the United States and Europe.

"Washington will use this platform to create safe places to play, elevate women in leadership, and ensure every girl can see herself in the game," according to the description of Washington in the bid book.

Seattle, Los Angeles, Kansas City, Dallas, Houston, Atlanta and New York/New Jersey, all of which will hold games in 2026, are also listed as potential hosts. Mexico added Torreón to 2026 hosts Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara.

Costa Rica and Jamaica identified one host city each, San José in Costa Rica and Kingston in Jamaica.

The tournament will be held in mid-June through late July, though specific dates were not given. The bid book also did not specify which countries would host which games. Given Costa Rica and Jamaica's stadiums seat a maximum of 37,000, however, it's likely the United States would host the latter knockout-round games, including the final.

In 2026, Mexico and Canada are hosting games through the round of 16. The quarterfinals, semifinals and final are all in the United States, with the final to be played at MetLife Stadium.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Washington D.C. among 14 US cities that could host 2031 World Cup