A joint bid to host the women’s football World Cup in 2027 by the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium faces tough competition from a rival offer by the USA and Mexico, it emerged at the weekend.

Brazil has also said it wants to stage the event and that means three bids have now been submitted to Fifa. The winner will be announced at Fifa’s congress in Bangkok on May 17 next year.

The 2027 event will be the 10th women’s World Cup. Spain won the title at this year’s competition in Australia and New Zealand, beating England 1-0 in the final.

The Netherlands and Belgium submitted a joint bid to host the 2018 men’s tournament but Fifa chose Russia instead.