UK Submit 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup Bid

UK have officially submitted their unopposed bid for the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup. 

FIFA earlier this year confirmed that the UK were the sole country to express interest in hosting the 2035 edition of the competition, but with need to complete the entire bidding process – England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales submitted their official joint bid today.

The tournament bid was built on an ‘All Together’ vision which marks a rallying call for women’s football and sport to empower worldwide.

The bid includes 22 proposed stadiums – 16 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland – across 16 host cities. With 63 million people living within two hours of a proposed venue, it would be the most accessible tournament ever.

CEOs of English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh Football Associations issued a joint statement expressing their “huge privilege” to submit the bid, off the back of growing popularity and England’s consecutive titles at UEFA Women’s Euro.

“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup would be a huge privilege for our four home nations. If we are successful, the 2035 tournament will be the biggest single-sport event held on UK soil with 4.5 million tickets available for fans.

“We are proud of the growth that we’ve driven in recent years across the women’s and girls’ game, but there is still so much more growth to come, and this event will play a key role in helping us deliver that.

“Working together with FIFA, a Women’s World Cup in the UK has the power to turbo charge the women’s and girls’ game both in the UK and globally. Our bid also demonstrates our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy, in the run up to 2035, and the years afterwards.

“Together, we want to welcome the world to the UK to celebrate and enjoy an unforgettable tournament.”

UK Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer added that the bid is a statement of the country’s “passion for football”, as he pointed to England’s success and investment in grassroots levels as examples of their desire to continue growing the sport by hosting the Women’s World Cup.

“Our bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup shows the UK’s passion for football.

“The Lionesses’ success has inspired girls across our country, and we’ll build on that momentum by welcoming millions of football fans from around the world to a tournament that will benefit communities and businesses in host cities up and down the UK.

“With significant investment in school sport and grassroots facilities through our Plan for Change, we’re creating opportunities for girls to play for their national team.”

The bid also enclosed the 22 stadiums which are under consideration as host venues of matches across the tournament, including Manchester United’s future new home which for now will retain its present name of Old Trafford due to a lack of information about new stadium for assessment.

FIFA however are prepared to include the new stadium amongst the host venues consideration once development plans are confirmed.

England

Birmingham – Sport Quarter Stadium (subject to development)

Birmingham – Villa Park

Brighton – AMEX Stadium

Bristol – Ashton Gate

Leeds – Elland Road

Liverpool – Hill Dickinson Stadium

London – Chelsea FC Stadium (subject to development), Emirates Stadium, Selhurst Park, Wembley Stadium, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley Stadium

Manchester – Etihad Stadium, Old Trafford

Newcastle – St James’ Park

Nottingham – City Ground

Sunderland – Stadium of Light

 

Northern Ireland 

Belfast – Windsor Park

 

Scotland 

Edinburgh – Easter Road

Glasgow – Hampden Park

 

Wales

Cardiff – Cardiff City Stadium, Principality Stadium

Wrexham – STOK Racecourse (subject to development)

All four nations have also committed to ensuring that the tournament has a lasting legacy based on three key pillars of the bid;

• Participation – Increase local assess and worldwide with focus on under-represented communities
• Leadership – Empower women in leadership whilst doubling female officials by 2035, and deliver global mentoring and education programmes for women.
• Commercial growth – Transform the commercial potential of the sport in attracting new fans and partners, whilst ensuring relevant revenues into grassroots and elite pathways.

FIFA will ratify the bid which is expected to pass with little issues on 30 April 2026 at the 76th FIFA Congress.