UK shortlists 22 stadiums in bid to host 2035 Women's World Cup | OneFootball

The authorities responsible for football in the United Kingdom revealed this Friday (28) the general outlines of their bid to host the Women's World Cup in 2035, with 22 pre-selected stadiums.

The United Kingdom, as the sole bid, is expected to be officially designated as the host of the World Cup during the 76th FIFA Congress on April 30, 2026, in Vancouver (Canada), the world football governing body announced this Friday.

“Hosting the Women's World Cup would be an immense privilege for our four nations,” emphasized the presidents of the British countries (England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland) in a statement.

The British bid team highlighted that the tournament with 48 teams will be the largest single-sport event ever organized in the United Kingdom.

It would be the first World Cup held on British soil since 1966, when England won its only world title as the host, in the men's category.

“With 63 million people living less than two hours from one of the venues, it would be the most accessible tournament in history,” the bid team highlighted in a statement.

Of the 22 pre-selected stadiums, 16 are in England, with three in Wales, two in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland, spread across 15 cities. The list will be reduced to 16.

“We will seize this momentum”

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said the bid showcases the UK's passion for football.

“The success of the 'Lionesses' [the England women's team, current European champions] has inspired girls across the country, and we will seize this momentum by welcoming millions of fans from around the world to a tournament that will benefit communities and businesses in host cities across the UK,” Starmer stated.

Starting in 2031, the Women's World Cup will be contested by 48 teams, up from the current 32. The next edition will be held in Brazil in 2027.

For the 2031 tournament, the United States, the only bid submitted to FIFA, announced in October the inclusion of Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica.

England will defend the European title as the host in 2028, in a tournament jointly organized between the UK and Ireland.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.