Windsor Park expansion planned for Northern Ireland to join 2035 Women's World Cup co-hosts | OneFootball

Capacity at Belfast venue must increase to meet FIFA regulations for major tournaments

Northern Ireland’s Windsor Park will host matches at the 2035 Women’s World Cup, as long as the stadium’s capacity can be expanded to at least 20,000.

However, that is not expected to be a problem for the 2035 Women’s World Cup, by which time Windsor Park will have been renovated to expand its capacity. It currently holds 18,500 people but must have a capacity of at least 20,000 to meet FIFA regulation size for a World Cup.

The 2035 World Cup will be an expanded tournament featuring 48 teams and, as such, is expected to use 16 host stadiums: 11 in England, two each in Scotland and Wales, and Northern Ireland’s Windsor Park.

“In terms of Northern Ireland, we are very focused on Windsor Park,” Bullingham said.

“We are not anticipating any stadiums being built in Northern Ireland. The question for Windsor Park is how we expand it slightly because the minimum number you have to get to for a World Cup bid is 20,000 and they are just off that.

“But we think it’s possible to add those extra seats and we fully expect Northern Ireland and Windsor Park to be part of the World Cup.”

Bullingham added: “In terms of the other stadiums, you mentioned one of the ones we’ve got our eye on. There are probably five other stadiums that could be built throughout the next few years that could be really attractive to host a tournament in the United Kingdom in 2035.

“You could look at what could potentially happen at St James’ Park, at Birmingham and at Wrexham — there are a number of other ones, as well, that could be of interest. The question is: how do you create a shortlist where you can then add other stadia if they meet the conditions later on?”