Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson reckon Women’s World Cup in the UK could push game to new level

LIONESSES boss Sarina Wiegman says the UK landing the 2035 Women’s World Cup will take the female game to another level.

Fifa president Gianni Infantino announced the England-led Home Nations plan was the “one valid bid” to host a tournament set to be expanded to 48 teams.

Formal confirmation will come when the official bid book, including up to 16 stadiums across all four countries, is sent to Fifa in November.

But that will be a formality and Wiegman, who led the Lionesses to Euro glory in 2022, said a World Cup on British and Northern Irish soil was a game-changer.

Wiegman said: “We know with the experience of the Euros how big the game is already here and what that momentum did here in the country but also worldwide. 

“Hosting another tournament on an even bigger stage would be incredible and will give another boost to the game. 

“It’s an even bigger stage. It’s the biggest female event we have in the world.”

England skipper Leah Williamson added: “I’m proud to have been a part of such a good show for women’s football at the Euros. 

“The commitment from the FA, the conversations that we’re in all the time about how we push the game on –  I think 2022 was a great demonstration of that intent. 

“To follow up with a World Cup bid says a lot about how much we care about women’s football here on home soil but then also globally as well.”

Williamson’s former Arsenal and England team-mate Alex Scott says the idea of Women’s World Cup taking place across the UK, brings back memories of London hosting the Olympics 13 years ago.

The BBC Sports presenter and pundit said: “When I go back to when we hosted the Olympics in 2012, that was one of our first times walking out Wembley – as Team GB – with 70,000 people there.

“That was a historic moment for us, so you fast-forward and you’re thinking about what that can do for people coming into the stadiums, being inspired and cheering on their team.

“It would be absolutely epic.”

The success of the bid was a victory for the quiet diplomacy of the FA high command, led by chair Debbie Hewitt and chief executive Mark Bullingham, who have repaired relations with Infantino after the “One Love” armband row at the 2022 World Cup.

Infantino confirmed Fifa plans to expand the tournament from 32 teams to 48 – matching the growth of the men’s World Cup – from the 2031 edition which will be held in the USA, with the world body likely to rule all four host nations will qualify automatically.

Unlike Euros 2028, when Northern Ireland was unable to come up with a venue big enough, minimum stadium capacities of 20,000 mean Belfast’s Windsor Park can be used for the tournament.

A formal list of stadiums will be drafted over the next few months, with Wrexham likely to want to join Cardiff in hosting Welsh matches and Edinburgh and Aberdeen potential Scottish options as well as Glasgow.

Grounds across England will be considered with the FA aiming to ensure it is a national celebration of the women’s game.

Bullingham said: “We are honoured to be the sole bidder. Hosting the first Fifa World Cup since 1966 with our Home Nations partners will be very special.

“That hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.”