The United Kingdom has announced plans for a joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, bringing together England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in a historic collaboration. If successful, the tournament would mark a significant milestone in the sporting history of the UK, reinforcing its reputation as a leading footballing nation.
A formal expression of interest is set to be submitted this month by the football associations of the four home nations. The bid follows a recent decision by FIFA’s governing council that the 2035 tournament will be awarded to a member association affiliated with either UEFA or CAF, the governing bodies of European and African football, respectively. The UK believes that its strong footballing infrastructure and history of successfully hosting international tournaments give it a strong chance of securing the event.
The English FA has emphasized that the success of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, which was hosted in England, demonstrated the UK’s ability to stage a world-class competition. The tournament saw record-breaking attendance figures and significantly boosted interest in women’s football across the country.
“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035 would be an honour,” said the English FA’s chief executive. “We strongly believe we can deliver a fantastic tournament, building on the momentum of the 2022 Women’s Euros and the rapid growth of the women’s game. We look forward to welcoming teams and fans from around the world to our stadiums, which we know will be packed with passionate supporters.”
Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have also expressed their enthusiasm for the bid, with each nation seeing it as a chance to continue the development of women’s football at home while contributing to the global game. The Welsh FA pointed to the country’s qualification for its first major women’s tournament, Euro 2025, as evidence of growing interest and participation in the sport.
The Scottish FA highlighted the potential for the World Cup to “supercharge” growth in women’s football, while the Irish FA described the bid as an opportunity to inspire young players and future generations. Leaders from each of the four football associations see the tournament as an important milestone in their efforts to promote the women’s game and build a lasting legacy.
The bid also has full backing from the UK government, with strong political support for bringing the tournament to British soil. Officials believe that hosting the Women’s World Cup would not only showcase the best of the UK but also provide a significant boost to the economy, create jobs, and inspire the next generation of female footballers.
The process for awarding the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups will run concurrently, with FIFA expecting initial expressions of interest to be submitted in the coming weeks. Full bids will need to be presented by the end of the year, with the final decision to be made in 2026 by the 211 FIFA member associations.
With a rich footballing heritage, modern stadiums, and a passionate fanbase, the UK hopes to secure the opportunity to host the Women’s World Cup for the first time. If successful, the tournament would further cement the UK’s role as a major player in the development of women’s football worldwide.
