Johannesburg, South Africa: South Africa has withdrawn from the contest to host the Women's World Cup in 2027, citing concerns about having to provide FIFA a "rushed presentation" in December.
December 8 is the deadline for submitting detailed preparations for the competition. According to South African officials, it would be prudent to attempt to host the next edition in 2031, AFP reported.
"We felt it was better to present a well-prepared bid for 2031... rather than producing a rushed presentation," said South African Football Association chief executive Lydia Monyepao.
Due to South Africa's departure, there will only be three bids for the 2027 competition: One from Brazil, joint ones by Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany and Mexico and the United States.
The winning bid, which would stage the event every four years after co-hosts Australia and New Zealand, will be decided in a FIFA congress on May 17, 2024.
Spain emerged victorious, defeating England 1-0 in the Sydney final that attracted 75,784 spectators in August of last year.