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The United Kingdom has formally submitted a joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, marking an ambitious effort by England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland to bring the world's largest women's sporting event to British soil. The tournament would represent the first World Cup held in the UK since the historic 1966 men's finals and is positioned as the largest single sport event ever staged in the country. The bid proposes twenty two stadiums across sixteen host cities, with sixteen venues in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland. With forty eight teams and one hundred and four matches projected, the scale reflects the rapidly growing global interest in women's football.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer publicly endorsed the bid, emphasising that hosting the tournament would build on the momentum created by the Lionesses, who have become back to back European champions and influential figures in modern sport. The Home Nations federations described the proposal as an opportunity to expand access to women's football, noting that sixty three million people live within two hours of a proposed match venue. Organisers also estimate that 4.5 million tickets could be sold and the global broadcast audience could exceed 3.5 billion.
The project includes significant investment in training sites, base camps and fan festival locations, highlighting a commitment to community engagement and long term growth of the sport. The bid also outlines a vision for modern infrastructure, with Manchester United confirming aspirations to complete a new 100,000 seat stadium in time for the event. Other prominent venues listed in the proposal include Wembley Stadium, the Emirates Stadium, St James' Park and several newly developed or expanded grounds across the UK.
While the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica have submitted a joint bid for the 2031 edition, the UK remains the sole bidder for the 2035 tournament following remarks by FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who described it as the only valid bid currently under consideration. The final decision will be made at the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on April thirtieth. If awarded, the event is expected to accelerate the growth of women's and girls' football across the UK and contribute to the lasting legacy of the sport globally. The bid represents a historic moment of unity among the Home Nations and a defining milestone in the evolution of the women's game.
