The United Kingdom has been announced as the exclusive “valid” bidder to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
In March, England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland collectively expressed their interest in hosting the tournament across the home nations.
FIFA’s rotation policy stipulates that the event must take place in either Europe or Africa.
Last week, Rafael Louzan, president of Spain’s football federation, indicated that they were collaborating on a joint bid with Portugal and Morocco.
However, the deadline for submitting expressions of interest has now passed, and Infantino confirmed that the UK is the only bid received for the 2035 tournament, while the United States is set to host the 2031 edition.
“Today, I can confirm that we have received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035 as part of the bidding process,” Infantino stated during a UEFA congress in Belgrade.
“The 2031 bid comes from the United States of America, potentially alongside other CONCACAF members, while the 2035 bid is from Europe and the home nations.
“This sets the stage for the Women’s World Cup to be held in 2031 and 2035 in remarkable nations, further advancing the women’s football movement.”
Mark Bullingham, the chief executive of the FA, expressed, “We are privileged to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035. The real work begins now to prepare the best possible bid by the end of the year.”
Formal bids for the 2035 World Cup are required to be submitted this winter, with a vote to determine the hosts scheduled for a FIFA congress in 2026.
Infantino also announced that the 2031 Women’s World Cup will expand to 48 teams, an increase from the 32 teams participating in 2027.
If the UK’s bid is approved, the 2035 Women’s World Cup will mark the second occasion that a World Cup has been hosted in the home nations, following the 1966 men’s tournament in England.
