Canada will bid for the 2015 Women's World Cup.
What's long been understood was made official today when the CSA announced that it was preparing a bid book to submit to FIFA before the deadline of Feb. 11, 2011. So far it looks like the only competition to Canada might be Chile. Countries have until tomorrow to indicate their intentions.
Since Germany was awarded the 2011 World Cup Canada has been considered a favourite to land the event. The success of the 2002 u19 girls event and the 2007 u20 men's championship are being held up as an example of the strength of the bid. Chilie hosted the 2009 u20 women's tournament.
Canada is also bidding to host the 2014 u20 women's event as a preparation for the World Cup.
Potential downfalls to Canada are that a 2015 World Cup in North America would represent the third held here -- albeit one (2003) in an emergency situation after China had to pull out of hosting because of the SARS virus.
Chilie is favoured by those that want to take the women's game to parts of the world where it is still developing. It's understood that Canada likely represents a safe choice. The country would very likely embrace the tournament, both in media coverage and attendance at the games.
Stadiums could be a minor concern for FIFA as the country lacks eight stadiums with grass. We will have to wait to see the bid book, but it's likely that the bid will include plans to put grass in BC Place, Commonwealth Stadium, Olympic Stadium as well as the new stadiums in Ottawa and, if it's large enough, Hamilton. BMO Field would almost certainly be used. Moncton is also a possibility as it would provide a regional representation for the east coast and it has a grass surface.
It's Canada's to lose. We will watch this as it develops.