SAFA gets green light to bid for 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup

South African Football Association (SAFA) intentions to bid for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup has received a major boost. 

This is after the South African government expressed its support for SAFA plans. 

SAFA revealed on Wednesday that the Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Nathi Mthethwa sent a letter to its president Danny Jordaan saying the department is proud to support the Association’s interest in bidding to host the tournament.

GOVERNMENT BACKS WOMEN’S WORLD CUP BID

“At this stage of the process, this letter does not in any way mean, or cannot be considered an underwriting, guarantee, or financial commitment by the Department of sport, arts and culture or any other Government department in the Republic of South Africa,” read the letter from the department. 

“It is noted that the details of the requirements and commitments from the Bidding countries will be articulated in the Bid Book to be released by FIFA when the bidding process officially opens.

“We wish SAFA all the best with the Expression of Interest, and should SAFA be invited to bid, there will be further liaison between SAFA, SASCOC and DSAC,” said sports minister, Mthethwa. 

The plans to bid also received support from the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC). 

SAFA CONFIDENT THEY ARE CAPABLE 

SAFA president Jordaan said the association was also looking forward to formally launching intention to be a bidding nation.

“We look forward to receiving the final bid book requirements from FIFA,” he said.

“We are saying that the debate as far as the stadiums are concerned is settled. The venues are in place, the training grounds are in place, the accommodation and the roads are in place.

“We now await the terms and conditions from FIFA. We believe we have got what is required to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in South Africa. The success of the World Cup in 2010 in South Africa dispelled pessimism around an African bid.

“We believe we have got what is required to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup,” he said. 

The bid from South Africa and also a joint bid from Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands are the only ones that have been confirmed.

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