The DFB is entering the bid for the 2027 Women's World Cup with Gelsenkirchen, with the home of the Royal Blues taking the place of Duisburg, which withdrew from the bidding process at the beginning of September. The other German Candidate Cities are Dortmund, Düsseldorf and Cologne.
The decision to look for a replacement venue following the cancellation of Duisburg was made by the DFB in consultation with the soccer associations from the Netherlands (KNVB) and Belgium (RBFA), with whom it is jointly bidding to host the tournament in four years' time under the motto "Breaking New Ground".
As one of seven cities, Gelsenkirchen had already taken part in the national bidding process in June 2022, signaled its interest in re-entering the bidding process after an intensive review of the extensive documentation and was awarded the contract. The city of Gelsenkirchen and FC Schalke 04 with the VELTINS-Arena have now immediately started work to meet FIFA's requirements.
"We are delighted to be part of the bid for this global soccer event together with the city of Gelsenkirchen and our VELTINS-Arena. Being able to welcome the Women's World Cup to our royal blue living room would not only be a great honor for us - it would also be another important commitment on our part to women's soccer. We are sure that we will deliver a good bid and are looking forward to the process of awarding the tournament," explained the S04 board around Christina Rühl-Hamers and Peter Knäbel.
FIFA envisages at least ten venues in the host countries for the 2027 Women's World Cup. Other candidates are Brazil, South Africa and USA/Mexico. The bid documents must be submitted to FIFA by December 8, 2023. The decision on the awarding of the tournament will be made at the 74th FIFA Congress in Bangkok on May 17, 2024.
