The United Kingdom has officially launched its ambitious campaign to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, marking a potentially historic moment for football across the four nations.
A Four-Nation Collaboration
In an unprecedented collaboration, the football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have united to submit their bid for what would become the largest single-sport event ever staged in the UK. The proposal outlines an extensive network of potential host venues designed to bring the tournament to every corner of the country.
Football Association CEO Mark Bullingham emphasised the bid's nationwide appeal, stating: "Sixty-three million people live within two hours of a match venue that we're proposing". This strategic approach aims to make the tournament accessible to the vast majority of the UK population while showcasing some of the most recognisable cities and stadiums across the nations.
Extensive Venue Selection
The bid features an impressive list of 22 potential stadiums spread across 15 host cities, though this will eventually be refined to between 14 and 16 venues for the actual tournament. The selection includes both existing legendary grounds and future developments that promise to be among the world's best by 2035.
Among the notable inclusions are Villa Park in Birmingham alongside a potential new stadium for Birmingham City. The proposal also considers either Old Trafford or a new Manchester United stadium in Manchester, and potentially a new Chelsea stadium or redeveloped Stamford Bridge in London, provided they meet FIFA requirements.
The geographical distribution ensures widespread participation: sixteen stadiums in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland. This represents a significant step up from the 2022 Women's Euros hosted by England, demonstrating the rapid growth and increasing commercial appeal of women's football.
Complete List of Potential Host Cities and Stadiums
Potential Host Cities and Venues:
- Belfast
- Birmingham (Villa Park and proposed new Birmingham City stadium)
- Brighton
- Bristol (Ashton Gate)
- Cardiff (Cardiff City Stadium and Principality Stadium)
- Edinburgh (Easter Road)
- Glasgow (Hampden Park)
- Leeds
- Liverpool (Hill Dickinson Stadium)
- London (Emirates Stadium, Selhurst Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley, any new Chelsea stadium or redeveloped Stamford Bridge)
- Manchester (Etihad Stadium, Old Trafford or new Manchester United stadium)
- Newcastle
- Nottingham (City Ground)
- Sunderland
- Wrexham (if redevelopment meets FIFA regulations)
Embracing Future Developments
Bullingham highlighted the strategic inclusion of stadiums that haven't been built yet, explaining: "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". This forward-thinking approach contrasts sharply with the situation before Euro 2022, where organisers had to persuade cities and stadiums to participate.
The enthusiasm from clubs and local councils this time around signals a remarkable shift in attitude toward women's football. Bullingham noted this change represents "a sign of the women's game's growth" and its increasing commercial and cultural significance.
Historical Context and Legacy
England legend Ellen White, the Lionesses' all-time leading goalscorer, expressed her excitement about the bid, comparing it to her experience at the 2012 London Olympics. "We felt it in the Olympics in 2012, that exposure, that amazing sense of togetherness", White recalled. "The whole worldwide captivation was really special. The fact that it's a World Cup means it is worldwide and all eyes will be on us."
The official bid book will be published on FIFA's website, with the hosting decision for both the 2031 and 2035 tournaments scheduled for the FIFA Congress in Vancouver on 30 April 2026. The UK faces no competition for the 2035 hosting rights as the sole bidder, while the United States, Mexico, Jamaica, and Costa Rica have jointly bid for the 2031 tournament.
Brazil is already confirmed as host for the 2027 Women's World Cup, setting the stage for what promises to be a transformative period for women's football globally, with the UK bid positioned to continue this momentum into the next decade.
