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The UK will host the Women’s World Cup for the first time ever in 2035 after a rival bid from Spain, Portugal and Morocco dropped out.
The English football association joined Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland in bidding for the tournament. England is expected to have the most venues in the four-nation bid, with Wembley Stadium earmarked as the venue for the final.
The four nations have already joined forces to host Euro 2028, while England hosted and won the Women’s European Championships in 2022.
The UK emerged as the sole bid after the uncertainty that surrounded whether the three-nation coalition of Spain, Portugal and Morocco had met FIFA’s deadline for expressions of interest on Monday.
The president of the Spanish FA (RFEF), Rafael Louzan, said his association was ‘working on’ a joint bid with the countries that are also due to co-host the 2030 men’s World Cup.
Only countries in Europe or Africa could bid for the tournament because of FIFA’s rotation rules. Brazil will host the 2027 World Cup while the United States, which pulled out of the bidding process for that tournament, is the favourite to be host for 2031.
At the launch of the UK’s bid earlier this month, FA chief executive claimed that the success of the European Championship in 2022 proved the UK’s ability to stage the World Cup.
‘Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035 would be an honour,’ he said. ‘We strongly believe that we could organise a fantastic tournament, building on the success of the UEFA Women’s EURO in 2022 and the subsequent rapid growth of the women’s game in England.
‘We’re excited about the opportunity to welcome the world, and hosting participating nations and fans in sold-out stadiums.
‘There is outstanding support for the women’s game in this country and we want to maximise this, not only for women’s and girls’ football here but also for the benefit of the global game.’
