UK to Host 2035 Women’s World Cup as Only "Valid" Bid

• Apr 03, 2025

The United Kingdom is set to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, marking a historic moment as the only "valid" bid for the tournament. FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the UK’s joint bid, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland, was the only one received by FIFA for the 2035 edition.

The bid follows FIFA’s rotation rules, which dictate that the tournament must be held in either Europe or Africa. Although Spain had considered submitting a joint bid with Portugal and Morocco, their proposal did not meet the deadline. As a result, the UK remains the sole valid bidder for 2035, while the United States is already confirmed as the host for the 2031 Women’s World Cup.

Infantino confirmed the news at a UEFA congress in Belgrade, stating, “Today I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035.” He expressed confidence that both tournaments will elevate the women’s football movement, with the UK’s bid expected to play a major role in furthering the growth of women’s sports globally.

FA Chief Executive Mark Bullingham expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035. The hard work starts now to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.”

Leaders from other UK football associations also shared their enthusiasm. Scottish FA Chief Executive Ian Maxwell mentioned the anticipation for a tournament that will inspire women and girls, while Patrick Nelson from the Irish FA and Noel Mooney from the Welsh FA emphasized the positive impact the tournament could have in showcasing their countries and inspiring future generations of players.

England women’s manager Sarina Wiegman also weighed in, highlighting the immense growth of women’s football, particularly after the success of the 2022 Women’s Euros.

Formal bids for the 2035 World Cup must be submitted later this year, with the host nation to be officially voted on at the 2026 FIFA Congress. Should the UK’s bid succeed, the 2035 edition will be the second time a World Cup is held in the home nations, following the 1966 men’s tournament in England.