Brazil has won the bid to host the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup after beating a joint bid by Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany (BNG) to stage the tournament, the world football governing body announced on Friday.

“Congratulations to Brazil,” FIFA president Gianni Infantino said. “We will have the best World Cup in Brazil. Many thanks as well to the BNG bid, who have been fantastic,” he added.

 Brazil garnered 119 votes, while 78 favoured the BNG bid in a historic open voting system by member associations at the FIFA’s congress in Thailand on Friday. The football governing body introduced the voting system to choose the host nation for a tournament.

According to the BBC, the bids from Brazil and BNG met the hosting criteria, but Brazil’s bid eventually won, having scored higher on technical aspects covering areas such as stadiums, accommodation, fan zones, and transport in a FIFA bid evaluation report.

South Africa and the United States/Mexico had initially submitted bids to host the 2027 Women’s World Cup. However, South Africa pulled out of the race in April, while the U.S. and Mexico did the same in November last year, stating they wanted to put together stronger bids for the 2031 tournament.

The 2027 Women’s World Cup would be the first time a South American country has hosted a women’s tournament.

“We knew we would be celebrating a victory for South American women’s soccer and for women,” said the president of the Brazilian Football Confederation, Ednaldo Rodrigues.

“You can be sure, with no vanity, we will accomplish the best World Cup for women,” she added.