Canada to bid for 2015 Women's World Cup

The Canadian Soccer Association announced on Thursday that it will put in a bid to FIFA to host the 2015 Women's World Cup.

The country with the winning bid also earns the right to host the Under-20 Women's World Cup in 2014.

"We are proud that the largest participation sport in this country for girls and women is soccer," Peter Montopoli, the Canadian Soccer Association's general secretary, said in a statement. "Hosting the FIFA Women's World Cup 2015 provides exceptional opportunity for the hundreds of thousands of female soccer players in Canada to be inspired by the world's best players and to support the national team as they represent their country on the international stage on home soil."

FIFA is accepting bid books from interested nations until mid-February.

Canada hosted the U-19 Women's World Cup in 2002, with matches taking place in Burnaby, B.C., Victoria and Edmonton.

The men's U-20 World Cup in 2007 came through Victoria, Burnaby, Edmonton, Ottawa, Montreal and Toronto.

Soccer Canada estimates the latter tournament generated $259 million in economic activity. 

There was no immediate word on which cities would be considered for the bid. Toronto and southern Ontario will host the Pan American Games in 2015.

The next Women's World Cup will be held from June 26 to July 7, 2011, in Germany.

Canada in the last 18 months under coach Carolina Morace has re-entered the top 10 in the women's rankings. Canada is among the 16 countries that will learn their World Cup grouping on Monday night in Frankfurt. 

The tournament will expand from 16 to 24 participating countries in 2015.