UK to host 2035 Women’s World Cup as Fifa chief Gianni Infantino confirms just ‘one valid bid’ for tournament
THE UK is set to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland joined forces with the English Football Association earlier this year in a bid for the major tournament.
The deadline for initial submissions came earlier this week on Monday afternoon.
And while the UK lodged their interest on time, rival nations did not.
Therefore, there is no real competition for the 2035 tournament.
FIFA chief Gianni Infantino has described the UK’s interest as the “one valid bid” for the event.
Spain, Portugal and Morocco had previously expressed a desire to host on a joint basis, but all three countries withdrew from the running.
Speaking at a UEFA congress on Thursday morning, Infantino said: “I can also confirm that, as part of the bidding process, we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035.
“The 2031 bid is from the United States of America and potentially some other Concacaf members together.
“And the 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.
“So the path is there for the Women’s World Cup to be taking place in 2031 and 2035 in some great countries, some great nations, to boost the women’s football movement even more.”
The UK will now need to submit a compliant bid by the end of this year in order to guarantee the tournament will be played on British soil.
Infantino also revealed that FIFA intend to increase the number of teams competing in the Women’s World Cup from 32 to 48 by 2031.
The number of teams was increased from 24 to 32 for the 2023 tournament in Australia and New Zealand, where England reached the final for the very first time.
The Lionesses narrowly missed out on the trophy following a 1-0 defeat to Spain in Sydney.
English FA CEO Mark Bullingham said: “We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035.
“Hosting the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 with our home nations partners will be very special.
“The hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.”
UK football chiefs are yet to announce which stadiums would likely be earmarked for the tournament.
However, it can almost be guaranteed that Wembley Stadium in London will host the final – as it did for the men’s European Championship in 2021 and the women’s Euros in 2022.
Manchester United’s proposed £2billion, 100,00-seater venue could also be used as it is set to be fully completed before the tournament year.
In addition, Hampden Park in Glasgow, the home of the Scottish national team, would likely be used as a venue.