Women's World Cup: United Kingdom submits bid for 2035 tournament | OneFootball

Prime minister has backed campaign to bring biggest tournament in women’s game to the UK

The Football Associations of the four UK nations have submitted their official joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, which will be the biggest single-sport event ever staged in the British Isles.

It will be just the second World Cup ever hosted in England, following the men’s tournament in 1966 which the host nation won. England also hosted the 2021 Women’s Euros, delayed to 2022 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, which was won by the Lionesses.

The four home nations are already confirmed as the 2035 hosts but have now officially submitted their bid to FIFA. It includes 22 proposed stadiums, of which 16 are in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.

Estimations indicate the event could reach a “projected global TV audience of 3.5billion people”.

A joint statement from the chief executives of The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA and FA of Wales read: “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.

Current champions: Spain

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“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.”

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also issued a statement, saying: “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.”

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said: “Our country has a proven track record in staging the most iconic events in world sport, from London 2012 to the Women’s Euros in 2022 and the Women’s Rugby World Cup just this summer.

“If successful, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 would be a football celebration on a global scale with host cities across the UK - delivering economic benefits, connecting people in communities and welcoming the world.

Proposed host stadiums and cities:

Belfast – Clearer Twist National Stadium at Windsor Park

Birmingham – Sports Quarter Stadium (unbuilt) and Villa Park

Brighton & Hove – American Express Stadium

Bristol – Ashton Gate

Cardiff – Cardiff City Stadium and Principality Stadium

Edinburgh – Easter Road

Glasgow – Hampden Park

Leeds – Elland Road

Liverpool – Hill Dickinson Stadium

London – Chelsea FC Stadium (undecided), Emirates Stadium, Selhurst Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and Wembley Stadium

Manchester – Etihad Stadium and Old Trafford

Newcastle – St James’ Park

Nottingham – City Ground

Sunderland – Stadium of Light

Wrexham – Racecourse Ground (after redevelopment)