Belfast among host venues as UK unveils bid for 2035 Women’s World Cup 

The competition would be the largest single sport event ever staged in the UK

A general view of a Northern Ireland  at Windsor Park. Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have submitted their bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup as the largest single-sport event staged in the UK.

The Lionesses’ leading goalscorer, Ellen White, described the bid as “really special” and compared it to her experience of the 2012 Olympics as a part of Team GB.

“We felt it in the Olympics in 2012, that exposure, that amazing sense of togetherness,” she said. “The whole worldwide captivation was really special. Seeing all the different nations, the cultures, the diversity, the inclusivity, was really special to be involved with. The fact that it’s a World Cup [means] it is worldwide and all eyes will be on us and people will want to come and be a part of it.”

Among the 22 stadiums proposed as potential host venues for a tournament eight times bigger than the 2022 Euros are some undergoing redevelopment and the proposed new stadiums of Birmingham City and Manchester United. Any new Chelsea stadium would also come into consideration, as would Stamford Bridge and Wrexham’s stadium if redeveloped to meet Fifa requirements. 

Sixteen of the stadiums are in England, three are in Wales, two are in Scotland and one is in Northern Ireland - Windsor Park. Fifteen host cities are potential venues (the bid officially lists 16, counting Trafford as distinct from Manchester).

“Sixty-three million people live within two hours of a match venue that we’re proposing, so we think it brings together the whole country and some of the most recognisable cities and stadia that we have,” the Football Association’s CEO, Mark Bullingham said.

“We’ve also included some stadia that have not been built. We’ve done that really consciously to make a confident statement that in 10 years these stadiums will be among the best in the world, and that if they’re built, then we obviously want them eligible for inclusion.” 

The 22 stadiums will be whittled down to between 14 and 16. Interest from clubs and local councils in hosting matches stands in stark contrast to the picture before England held the 2022 Women’s Euros.

“For Euro 2022, we really had to persuade some cities and stadia to come in,” Bullingham said. “This time they’ve been really keen to be a part of it, and that’s a sign of the women’s game’s growth.”

The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA and FA of Wales are the sole bidders to host the 2035 World Cup. The 2031 tournament also has a sole bid submitted, from the United States, Mexico, Jamaica and Costa Rica. Brazil is to host the 2027 World Cup.

The UK’s bid book will be published on Fifa’s website on Friday and the vote on the hosts for the 2031 and 2035 World Cups will be made at the Fifa Congress in Vancouver on 30 April 2026.

Guardian