New Old Trafford due on FA’s stadiums list this week for 2035 Women’s World Cup | OneFootball

The Football Association is planning to include a redeveloped Old Trafford in the UK’s bid book of stadiums to host matches at the 2035 Women’s World Cup, which will be made public this week.

Old Trafford is in line to feature in the bid even though Manchester United’s plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium amount only to artists’ impressions and there are doubts over how the projected £2bn project will be funded.

It is a boost for United after Old Trafford was overlooked for the 2028 men’s European Championship owing to its dated facilities and possible future redevelopment. Manchester City’s Etihad Stadium was chosen as one of the nine venues and will host England’s opening game.

The UK is the sole bidder for the 2035 World Cup, with the United States lined earmarked to host in 2031 with Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica, but must submit a formal bid for Fifa’s approval.

With the Women’s World Cup following the men’s format in expanding to 48 teams in 2031, about 15 stadiums will be required but more will feature in the bid book, which is not binding.

The UK is expected to be approved as hosts next year but final decisions on stadiums and scheduling will not be made by Fifa until 2030, by which time United hope a new Old Trafford will be close to opening.

United have aspirations for Old Trafford to stage the final, although that is regarded as premature by the FA. Wembley would also have strong claims but United will argue that a 100,000 capacity and superior fan experience, assuming the Old Trafford rebuild takes place as planned, should give them the edge. Final decisions related to stadiums are made by Fifa.

United declined to comment but are understood to regard their expected inclusion in the bid as positive amid uncertainty regarding the development. Since Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Sir Norman Foster unveiled United’s plans for the so-called Wembley of the North in March, the club have yet to secure government funding required for the £4.2bn regeneration of the wider Old Trafford area or resolve a standoff with the Freightliner haulage company about the value of adjacent land United are seeking to purchase.

Cities including Glasgow, Sunderland, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham and Brighton have gone public with their desire to be included in the World Cup bid. Birmingham City’s proposed new 62,000-seat stadium, planned to open in 2030, may be included on the FA’s long list. Belfast is, unlike at Euro 2028, expected to host matches.

The FA declined to comment.

Header image: [Photograph: Foster + Partners/PA]