UK Unveils Bid to Host 2035 Women’s World Cup with 22 Proposed Stadiums

LONDON – UK football authorities on Friday revealed full details of their joint, unopposed bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup — a tournament projected to become the largest single-sport event ever held in the United Kingdom.

The official bid lists 22 stadiums across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland, with the final selection expected to be narrowed down to around 16 venues. Sixteen of the proposed stadiums are in England, including Manchester United’s planned new 100,000-seat arena. Three venues are in Wales, two in Scotland and one in Northern Ireland.

The bid team said that with 63 million people living within two hours of a proposed venue, the 2035 World Cup would be “the most accessible tournament ever.”

If approved, it would mark the first World Cup hosted on British soil since the men’s tournament in 1966.

FIFA later confirmed that the UK bid would be formally ratified at its 2026 Congress in Vancouver. The same congress is also expected to approve the joint bid of the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica, and Jamaica for the 2031 Women’s World Cup.

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The heads of the UK football associations said hosting the tournament would be a “huge privilege,” noting that an estimated 4.5 million tickets would be available. They emphasized the massive growth in women’s football across the UK and said the event would accelerate development at every level.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer praised the bid, saying it showcases the UK’s passion for football. He added that the success of the England Lionesses had inspired a generation of young girls and that hosting the World Cup would bring significant benefits to communities and businesses across the country.

Manchester United’s current Old Trafford is among the proposed venues, but the bid team hopes to put forward the club’s new stadium if plans are finalized in time.

From 2031 onward, the Women’s World Cup will feature 48 teams, expanded from the current 32. The next tournament will be held in Brazil in 2027.