UK’s Ambitious Bid to Host the Women’s World Cup 2035

On Friday, UK football authorities announced their joint bid to host the Women’s World Cup in 2035, revealing a comprehensive proposal featuring 22 potential stadiums. This initiative marks a significant step in fostering women’s sports in the UK.

The Scale of the Tournament

The proposed tournament would be monumental, showcasing 48 teams and establishing itself as the largest single-sport event ever organized in the UK. This would be the first World Cup held on British soil since the 1966 men’s tournament, which was exclusively hosted by England.

According to the bid team, “With 63 million people living within two hours of a proposed venue, it would be the most accessible tournament ever,” reflecting the commitment to making the event available to a vast audience.

Stadiums and Locations

The striking list of venues includes:

• 16 stadiums located in England
• 3 in Wales
• 2 in Scotland
• 1 in Northern Ireland

The final selection is expected to be narrowed down to approximately 16 venues. In contrast, only eight stadiums were utilized during the recent men’s World Cup in Qatar, highlighting the ambitious nature of this UK bid.

Support from Football Authorities

The proposal has received backing from the chief executives of the four football associations of the UK, who expressed that hosting the Women’s World Cup “would be a huge privilege” for all nations involved. They aim to connect an estimated 4.5 million ticket holders with unparalleled experiences across the tournament.

Furthermore, they pointed out, “We are proud of the growth that we’ve driven in recent years across the women’s and girls’ game, but there is still so much more growth to come.” They believe this event will play a crucial role in continuing that momentum.

Government Endorsement

Prime Minister Keir Starmer emphasized the significance of the bid, stating that the Lionesses’ recent achievements have ignited enthusiasm for football among young girls throughout the country. He added, “we’ll build on that momentum by welcoming millions of football fans from around the world to a tournament that will benefit communities and businesses in host cities up and down the UK.”

A Bright Future for Women’s Football

The forthcoming change in tournament format, expanding to 48 teams starting in 2031, aligns perfectly with the momentum built by teams like England’s women’s national team, who recently clinched two consecutive European Championships and reached the final of the 2023 World Cup.

Other Tournament Bids

In the competitive landscape of women’s football, the United States has already been announced as the exclusive bidder for the 2023 Women’s World Cup. Furthermore, authorities in Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica recently declared their interest in joining the US bid for the 2031 tournament, indicating a growing global interest in hosting prestigious football events.

The next Women’s World Cup is set to occur in Brazil in 2027, paving the way for exciting developments in women’s football ahead of the 2035 tournament.