The Football Association is firmly resisting lobbying efforts from Manchester United to nominate a completely rebuilt Old Trafford as the venue for the 2035 Women's World Cup final. This development comes despite Manchester United's public declaration of their aspirations to host the prestigious international football event at their proposed new stadium.
Wembley Remains FA's Unwavering Choice
The FA has made it clear that Wembley Stadium remains their preferred and committed choice for hosting the 2035 Women's World Cup final. This position was formally established when the FA submitted its official bid for the tournament to FIFA in November of last year. Sources indicate this stance will not change, even if Manchester United successfully completes construction of their ambitious new 100,000-seat stadium before the tournament begins.
Manchester United's Stadium Ambitions
Collette Roche, the chief executive of Manchester United's New Stadium Development, publicly revealed the club's aspirations for the first time on Tuesday. She emphasized the club's determination to deliver the massive stadium project on schedule, despite significant financial and logistical challenges.
"We've not named a date for opening, but we are on track within those timescales," Roche stated in a series of interviews. "Our plan is to be able to host other international sporting events and entertainment events. Andy Burnham, the mayor, said his ambition would be for us to host the final for the Women's World Cup in 2035, so if we could pull that off, that would be incredible."
The proposed stadium project faces substantial hurdles, including:
- Securing funding for a project estimated to cost over £2 billion
- Purchasing necessary land from the haulage company Freightliner
- Meeting construction timelines to be ready for the 2035 tournament
FIFA's Ultimate Decision Authority
While the final decision on the 2035 Women's World Cup final venue rests with FIFA, it would represent a significant departure from standard practice if the international governing body were to overrule the preferences of the Football Association. The FA is leading a joint bid from the home nations - England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland - to host what would be the first Women's World Cup staged in the United Kingdom and potentially the largest sporting event ever held in the country.
Current Bid Status and Venue Proposals
The current Old Trafford stadium is included among 22 proposed venues in the official bid book submitted to FIFA. The breakdown includes:
- Sixteen stadiums in England
- Three stadiums in Wales
- Two stadiums in Scotland
- One stadium in Northern Ireland
If Manchester United's new stadium project proceeds according to plan, it would replace the current Old Trafford in the bid proposal. However, the FA's commitment to Wembley as the final venue appears unwavering regardless of Manchester United's construction progress.
Tournament Award Timeline
The Football Association's bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup currently faces no opposition from other nations. However, FIFA recently announced a delay in the official awarding of both the 2031 and 2035 tournaments. Originally scheduled for announcement at FIFA's annual congress in Vancouver next month, the decision has been postponed until later this year.
FIFA will now convene an extraordinary congress specifically to confirm hosting decisions for both tournaments. While the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica are jointly bidding for the 2031 Women's World Cup, the FA remains confident about their prospects for 2035 despite the scheduling changes.
This development highlights the complex interplay between club ambitions, national football associations, and international governing bodies in determining major tournament venues. It also underscores the growing significance of women's football on the global stage, with stadium capacity and prestige becoming increasingly important considerations for hosting rights decisions.
