UK's bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup marks a significant milestone for women's football
UK to Host 2035 Women's World Cup as Sole Bidder
UK to Host 2035 Women's World Cup as Sole Bidder
FIFA confirms UK as only valid candidate for 2035 tournament
The United Kingdom is poised to host the 2035 Women's World Cup, having emerged as the sole "valid" bidder for the tournament, as stated by FIFA president Gianni Infantino. A joint expression of interest was submitted in March by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to organize the event across these home nations. Following FIFA's rotation rules, the World Cup is designated to either Europe or Africa for the upcoming tournament.
Despite earlier aspirations from Spain's federation president Rafael Louzan to form a joint bid with Portugal and Morocco, the deadline for bid submissions closed on Monday without any additional contenders. Infantino reported at a UEFA congress in Belgrade, "Today I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035," affirming the UK’s position. The 2031 Women's World Cup will be hosted by the United States, possibly alongside other Concacaf members.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham expressed the organization’s commitment, stating, "We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035," adding, "The hard work starts now to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year." Official bids for the 2035 tournament must be finalized this winter, with the host nations to be confirmed during a FIFA congress in 2026.
Additionally, Infantino announced that the 2031 Women's World Cup will feature an expanded format of 48 teams, an increase from the 32 participating teams in the previous tournament in 2027. If the UK bid is approved, the 2035 Women's World Cup will notably be the second occasion the event takes place in the home nations, following the 1966 FIFA World Cup held in England.
Despite earlier aspirations from Spain's federation president Rafael Louzan to form a joint bid with Portugal and Morocco, the deadline for bid submissions closed on Monday without any additional contenders. Infantino reported at a UEFA congress in Belgrade, "Today I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035," affirming the UK’s position. The 2031 Women's World Cup will be hosted by the United States, possibly alongside other Concacaf members.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham expressed the organization’s commitment, stating, "We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035," adding, "The hard work starts now to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year." Official bids for the 2035 tournament must be finalized this winter, with the host nations to be confirmed during a FIFA congress in 2026.
Additionally, Infantino announced that the 2031 Women's World Cup will feature an expanded format of 48 teams, an increase from the 32 participating teams in the previous tournament in 2027. If the UK bid is approved, the 2035 Women's World Cup will notably be the second occasion the event takes place in the home nations, following the 1966 FIFA World Cup held in England.
