Gianni Infantino Says United Kingdom Will Stage 2035 Women’s World Cup

Speaking to the UEFA Congress in Belgrade this morning, FIFA President Gianni Infantino confirmed that the United Kingdom will stage the Women’s World Cup in 2035.

No official decision on the hosts of the 12th edition of the FIFA Women’s World Cup can be confirmed until the vote of the FIFA Congress, due to be held during the second quarter of 2026.

Nonetheless, with two days until the official deadline for member associations to confirm their interest in bidding to host the tournaments in 2031 and 2025, Infantino said the combined bid of the England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales Football Associations was the only “valid” bid.

Infantino said “the 35 bid is from Europe, from the home nations. So the path is there for the Women’s World Cup to be taking place in 31 and 35 in some great countries, in some great nations.”

There had been initial interest in hosting the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup from Saudi Arabia. However, a decision by the FIFA Council on March 5, allocated the staging of the 2035 tournament to either Europe or Africa. South Africa and a combined bid from Morocco, Portugal and Spain were also interested in hosting the tournament but now seem out of contention.

It appears that Infantino’s wish to expand the number of nations at the finals from the current 32 to 48 in time for 2031, which he also confirmed today, has caused the other potential bidders to pull out of the running to stage the tournament in 2035.

England head coach Sarina Wigeman insisted she will not be around by 2035 working as a head coach and, just two years after the first 32-team Women’s World Cup, said it was difficult to say whether the women’s game was ready for a 48-team tournament. “That’s a good question, tricky answer.”

“It will grow the game again in different countries because different counties will have opportunities to come but still have lots of challenges to overcome. Those countries are at different stages of their development so it will empower women in sport and women in society I think.”

If confirmed, it will also be the first-ever Women’s World Cup to be staged by four host nations. The 2023 edition in Australia and New Zealand was the first to be co-hosted. The United Kingdom has not staged any World Cup since 1966 when the men’s edition was hosted by England in an age when the tournament involved just 16 teams playing at eight venues.

How the hosting will be split between the four nations remains to be seen. At some point in the next couple of months, a bid workshop will be created and FIFA will initiate an observer program in the country.

The four Football Associations then have until the end of 2025 to submit an official bid to FIFA with details of possible venues, training bases and accommodation for the, now 48, teams competing at the finals.

Reacting to Infantino’s words, the CEO of the English Football Association Mark Bullingham said “we are honored to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035. Hosting the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 with our home nations partners will be very special. The hard work starts now, to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.”

“Football is and always will be at the core of our country’s identity,” said United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer last month. “Whether we watch on TV, play at the weekend like I do, or simply enjoy soaking up the atmosphere in the pub, it brings communities together like little else.”

“The pride was on full display when England hosted UEFA Women’s Euro 2022. It not only showed the best of our nation to the world but inspired a generation of girls into the game, all whilst boosting the economy.”

“The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035 on home turf would be another monumental moment in our sporting history, driving growth and leaving a lasting legacy. The FAs’ intention to bid has my government’s full support.”

Reacting to the news, the victorious captain of the England women’s team in 2022 Leah Williamson believes a new generation inspired by her team’s exploits will feature in the 2035 tournament. “If England are to host in 2035, I think you’ll have some stories that will be pretty special having led on from that time.”

The Arsenal player who has just turned 28 also refused to rule herself out of the running to feature as a player in ten years’ time. “Stranger things have happened,” she said smiling. “Who knows?”