Joint Bid for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035 by UK Football Associations
The Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have announced their intent to submit a formal expression of interest to FIFA, seeking the opportunity for the United Kingdom to host the Women’s World Cup in 2035.
Positive Developments from FIFA Council
This announcement was made following the FIFA Council’s recent decision, which indicated a preference for the 2035 tournament to be hosted either in Europe or Africa.
Prime Minister’s Support for Women’s Football
Prime Minister Keir Starmer expressed his enthusiasm, stating: “Football is at the heart of our national identity. Whether it’s enjoyed through television, played during the weekends, or experienced within the vibrant atmosphere of local pubs, the sport unites our communities. The sense of pride was unmistakable when England hosted UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, showcasing our nation’s best while inspiring a new generation of girls to engage in the sport and significantly benefiting our economy. A Women’s World Cup on home soil in 2035 would mark another significant milestone in our sporting heritage, promoting growth and establishing a lasting legacy. This bid has my government’s full endorsement.”
Timeline for Bidding Process
The declaration of intent is set to be submitted to FIFA in early 2025, as outlined in the new bidding timetable released by FIFA. Proposals for both the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups are to be submitted in the last quarter of 2025, with decisions regarding the tournaments expected by the second quarter of 2026.
Leadership Voices on the Bid
Mark Bullingham, CEO of the English FA, remarked: “It would be a privilege to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035. We are confident in our ability to deliver an exceptional tournament, building on the remarkable success of the UEFA Women’s EURO in 2022 and the rapid expansion of women’s football in England. We look forward to welcoming the world and hosting participating nations and fans in packed stadiums. The support for the women’s game in our country is formidable, and we aim to capitalize on this momentum for the benefit of women’s and girls’ football worldwide.”
Patrick Nelson, CEO of the Irish FA, added: “The Irish Football Association is thrilled at the prospect of co-hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035. Women’s and girls’ football is flourishing in Northern Ireland, and the unveiling of our new strategy, ‘Together we thrive – Elevating the game for everyone,’ aligns perfectly with this exciting opportunity, encouraging even more girls to aspire to represent their country on this prestigious platform.”
Ian Maxwell, CEO of the Scottish FA, conveyed: “Participating in a UK bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup presents an extraordinary occasion for fans of all ages. With the eyes of the world on one of the sport’s premier tournaments, our fans would have the chance to experience the excitement of the Women’s World Cup up close, especially if the Scotland Women’s National team shines at Hampden Park. Such a bid would significantly contribute to advancing women’s football in Scotland, forming part of a 10-year vision to elevate the women’s game at all levels.”
Noel Mooney, CEO of the Welsh FA, shared: “Following our historic qualification for our first major Senior Women’s tournament, interest in women’s football is surging throughout Wales. We are eager to welcome the world to Wales in 2035, playing a pivotal role in furthering the development of women’s and girls’ football by hosting one of the greatest FIFA World Cup Finals ever!”
UK Sport’s Vision for Women’s Football
Sally Munday, CEO of UK Sport, concluded: “We believe that live sports have the power to inspire and transform lives, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup stands as the pinnacle of this beautiful game. This event represents the largest global sporting occasion that the UK has yet to host, and we are eager to realize our ambition of bringing the FIFA Women’s World Cup to our shores, collaborating closely with our partners to make this vision a reality.”
