UK Set to Host 2035 Womens World Cup as Sole Bidder

A Historic Moment for Womens World Cup Football in the UK

The United Kingdom is on course to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, with no competing bids for the tournament, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed.

With England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland joining forces in a home nations bid, the UK is now in pole position to bring the biggest tournament in women’s football to British soil.

If confirmed, the 2035 Womens World Cup will mark only the second time a World Cup has been staged in the UK, following England’s historic hosting of the 1966 men’s tournament.

Speaking at the UEFA congress in Belgrade, Infantino revealed that while the United States is set to host the 2031 Women’s World Cup, the UK is the only valid bidder for 2035, putting it in a strong position to officially secure the tournament when FIFA makes its final decision in 2026.

UK’s Joint Bid Faces No Opposition

Fifa launches new Women’s Champions Cup but delays Womens World Cup

FIFA Rotation Rules Favor a European Host

Under FIFA’s rotational policy, the 2035 Womens World Cup had to be held in Europe or Africa, ruling out bids from nations outside these continents.

Spain had previously indicated an interest in submitting a joint bid alongside Portugal and Morocco, but with the Monday deadline for expressions of interest now passed, Infantino confirmed that only the UK’s proposal met FIFA’s criteria.

“Today I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035,” Infantino said.

“The 2031 bid is the United States of America and potentially some other Concacaf members, and the 2035 bid is from Europe and the home nations.

With no rival proposals, the UK is in prime position to host the tournament, but a formal bid still needs to be submitted this winter before the official vote at FIFA’s 2026 Congress.

FA Welcomes the Opportunity to Host

“The Hard Work Starts Now”

The Football Association (FA) chief executive Mark Bullingham expressed excitement about the opportunity to bring the Women’s World Cup to the UK, but also acknowledged that there is still plenty of work to be done before the bid is officially confirmed.

“We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035,” said Bullingham.

“The hard work starts now to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.”

Hosting a major FIFA tournament is no small task, and while the UK has a rich footballing heritage, the bid will need to demonstrate how it will ensure top-class infrastructure, fan experience, and tournament legacy.

With the growing popularity of womens football across the UK—especially after England’s success at Euro 2022—there is huge enthusiasm around the possibility of hosting the biggest competition in the women’s game.

What Would Hosting Mean for Women’s Football in the UK?

UK set to host 2035 Womens World Cup after submitting only ‘valid’ bid –

A Potential Game-Changer for the Women’s Game

Bringing the Women’s World Cup to the UK would represent a major milestone for the development of women’s football in the region.

The Lionesses’ triumph at Euro 2022 already had a transformative effect on the popularity and visibility of the sport, with record-breaking crowds and increased investment in the Women’s Super League (WSL).

Hosting a global event like the Women’s World Cup could further elevate the game by:

• Inspiring the next generation of female footballers across the UK
• Attracting record-breaking attendance numbers for women’s matches
• Boosting investment in grassroots football and women’s academies
• Showcasing the UK as a leader in women’s sport

If secured, the 2035 Women’s World Cup would undoubtedly be a landmark event in the continued rise of women’s football in the UK.

Expansion Plans: 2031 Womens World Cup to Feature 48 Teams

UK set to host 2035 Women’s World Cup after submitting only ‘valid’ bid –

FIFA Continues to Grow the Women’s Game

Alongside confirming the UK’s sole bid for 2035, Infantino also announced that the 2031 Women’s World Cup—which will be hosted by the United States and potentially other Concacaf nations—will see the tournament expand to 48 teams for the first time.

The move follows the successful expansion of the men’s World Cup, and FIFA believes increasing the number of participating nations will further boost the global reach of women’s football.

With more teams, more matches, and more fans engaged, the Women’s World Cup continues to grow in both scale and prestige, making the prospect of hosting it even more exciting for the UK.

What Happens Next?

Final Bid Submission and 2026 FIFA Congress Vote

While the UK is currently the only valid bidder, the process is far from over.

• The next step will be for England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to submit their formal bid this winter.
• FIFA will then evaluate the bid to ensure all necessary infrastructure, stadiums, and facilities meet the required standards.
• The final decision will be made in 2026 at the FIFA Congress, where member nations will vote to confirm the 2035 Womens World Cup host.

With the UK having no opposition, it would take a major setback for the bid to be rejected. If all goes to plan, women’s football fans across the UK can start looking forward to hosting one of the biggest sporting events in the world.

For now, the hard work begins—but the future of the Womens World Cup looks set to include a historic return to British shores.