The UK is poised to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup as the only “valid” contender, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
The home nations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland jointly expressed their interest in March to stage the tournament across the UK.
Under FIFA’s rotational hosting policy, the tournament is due to be held in either Europe or Africa. Despite initial indications from Spain’s federation president, Rafael Louzan, of a collaborative bid with Portugal and Morocco, no formal proposal materialised by the deadline.
Speaking at a UEFA congress in Belgrade, Infantino disclosed that for the 2035 tournament, “We received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035—the 2031 bid being from the United States, potentially with other CONCACAF members, and the 2035 bid from Europe and the home nations.”
This development sets the stage for the Women’s World Cup to return to prominent footballing nations in 2031 and 2035, thereby enhancing the women’s football movement.
Mark Bullingham, the FA chief executive, commented on the prospect, “We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035. The hard work starts now to assemble the best possible bid by the end of the year.”
The formal bidding process for the 2035 World Cup is scheduled for this winter, with the host to be officially selected at a FIFA congress in 2026.
Additionally, Infantino confirmed that the 2031 Women’s World Cup would expand to include 48 teams, up from the 32 teams planned for the 2027 tournament.
If the UK’s bid is successful, the 2035 Women’s World Cup will mark the second occasion that the World Cup has been hosted in the home nations, following the 1966 Men’s World Cup in England.
