The UK has submitted a bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup

Key Concepts

• Joint Bid: A collaborative effort by multiple football associations to host a major tournament.
• Women's Football World Cup 2035: The specific tournament being bid for.
• FIFA: The international governing body of association football, football, futsal and beach soccer.
• Ratification: The formal approval of a bid or plan.
• Transformational Growth: The anticipated significant positive impact on the women's game.
• Team GB: A combined Great Britain team for Olympic events.
• Lionesses: The nickname for the England women's national football team.
• Expanded Tournament: FIFA's plan to increase the number of participating teams.

Joint Bid for Women's Football World Cup 2035

The Football Associations of England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland have submitted a joint bid to host the Women's Football World Cup in 2035. This bid, presented as the "United Kingdom bids," has been received by FIFA. Unlike a typical competition, there is no direct opponent for this bid, and it is expected to be ratified in 2026. FIFA will conduct inspections in the coming months to assess the submitted plans.

Proposed Stadiums and Locations

The bid includes a total of 22 proposed stadiums.

• England: 16 stadiums are proposed.
• Wales: 3 stadiums are proposed, including venues in Cardiff and Wrexham. Windsor Park is also mentioned as being part of the plans.
• Scotland: 2 stadiums are proposed, including Hampden Park and the Hibernian Stadium in Edinburgh.
• Northern Ireland: 1 stadium is proposed.

It is noted that some of the suggested stadiums may not have been built by 2035, providing flexibility in the final selection. Potential venues like Old Trafford are mentioned, with a question raised about whether Manchester United will have built a new stadium by then.

Expected Impact and Ambitions

The Football Association (FA) hopes this tournament will significantly boost the growth of the women's game.

• Ticket Sales: The tournament could sell 4.5 million tickets, which is eight times larger than the Women's Euros hosted in the UK.
• Transformational Growth: The FA believes the event will be "transformational," allowing for further development of women's and girls' football.
• Inspiration: The tournament is expected to inspire a new generation of young girls to play football and aspire to represent their country, potentially creating future "Lionesses."

Team GB and Olympic Aspirations

The FA chief executive, Mark Bullingham, has indicated a hope for a combined Team GB women's football team to compete and qualify for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This initiative requires negotiation among the home nations, but their current collaboration on the World Cup bid suggests a positive step.

Expert Perspectives

Ellen White, England's all-time top women's scorer and a former Team GB player, shared her insights:

• Growth Trajectory: She highlighted the significant progress of the women's game over the past 10-15 years, with a notable increase in participation, especially among girls in England, which has "almost doubled" since 2022.
• Global Exposure: Hosting the World Cup will provide immense exposure and growth for the women's game worldwide, attracting a large global audience.
• Fan Experience: The tournament is anticipated to offer an "amazing fan experience," fostering community involvement across the UK.
• Historical Significance: Players involved would become "history makers."

Tournament Expansion and Future Goals

The 2035 Women's World Cup will feature 48 teams, an expansion from the 32 teams planned for the 2031 tournament, which will be hosted by the United States. While the Lionesses have won the Euros twice and reached the World Cup final in 2023, their ultimate goal remains winning the World Cup. The immediate focus, however, is on successfully hosting the tournament and securing FIFA's final ratification of the plans.

Conclusion

The joint bid by the UK nations for the 2035 Women's World Cup represents a significant step towards elevating the women's game. With a comprehensive stadium plan, ambitious ticket sales targets, and the potential for widespread inspiration and growth, the bid aims to leverage the tournament for a "transformational" impact on football for women and girls, both domestically and globally. The successful ratification by FIFA in 2026 will pave the way for what is expected to be a historic event, potentially culminating in a final at Wembley, a venue with its own significant football history.