Japan has expressed interest in hosting the 2031 Women’s World Cup, an event that, according to the Japan Football Association (JFA), seeks to revitalize interest in women’s soccer within the country, Tsuneyasu Miyamoto, president of the JFA, stated in a recent interview with AFP that the federation aims to bridge the gap between Japan and other soccer powerhouses like Europe and North America, where women’s soccer has significantly grown in popularity and quality over the past years.
At the JFA headquarters in Tokyo, Miyamoto emphasized that hosting the tournament would also increase the value of women’s soccer in Japan. Although Japan won the Women’s World Cup in 2011, the momentum from that victory has not been sustained, and since losing the final to the United States in 2015, Japan’s women’s team has not advanced beyond the quarterfinals. Miyamoto believes this reflects a lack of strategy to capitalize on the historic 2011 win and turn it into a lasting advancement for women’s soccer in the country.
The WE League and the ambition for a soccer culture
Another objective of Japan’s bid is to strengthen its professional women’s league, the WE League, established in 2021 but still struggling to generate the same level of enthusiasm and attendance as its counterparts in other continents. Miyamoto hopes that hosting the 2031 World Cup will boost the league’s visibility and increase women’s participation in the sport: “We want to increase the number of female players here,” he stated, acknowledging the challenges the league faces in attracting audiences.
Miyamoto’s vision for Japanese soccer is inspired by his international experiences, especially in Austria, where soccer is a fundamental part of daily life. “I would like soccer to be our culture in Japan,” he remarked, recalling his time with the Red Bull Salzburg club, where he observed how the sport was fully integrated into the community.
Despite Japan’s enthusiasm to host the tournament, it faces fierce competition. Countries like England and China have shown interest, and a joint bid from the United States and Mexico is also expected. Japan will have to overcome these challenges and prove that it can offer an unforgettable experience in 2031, one that will energize its local league and make women’s soccer an integral part of Japanese culture.
