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The UK appears set to land hosting rights for the 2035 Women’s World Cup after FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed the country as the sole bidder for the tournament.
Infantino also stated that the only bid for the 2031 Women’s World Cup has come from the US and “potentially some other Concacaf nations”. The US is co-hosting the 2026 men’s World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico.
The 2035 tournament would mark the first time the UK has hosted the Women’s World Cup, although England did stage the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2022. The US last hosted the Women’s World Cup in 2003.
Officials in Spain, which will co-host the men’s World Cup alongside Portugal and Morocco in 2030, had hinted at a bid for the 2035 women’s tournament, but Infantino’s comments appear to have ruled out the possibility of the event taking place in Iberia.
Speaking at the UEFA Congress meeting in Belgrade this (Thursday) morning, Infantino said: “I can confirm that we have received one bid for 2031, and one valid bid for 2035. The 2031 bid is from the USA and potentially some other Concacaf nations. The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.”
England, Scotland, Wales and the Republic of Ireland will also host the men’s Euros in 2028. The 2035 Women’s World Cup would be the first time England has staged a World Cup since the 1966 men’s tournament.
Mark Bullingham, chief executive of the English FA, added: “We are honoured 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.”
The hosts for the 2031 and 2035 tournaments are set to be ratified next year after the member federations have officially submitted their proposals.
Last month, the FIFA Council recommended that the 2035 tournament be hosted in either Europe or Africa. The Football Associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales signalled their intention to bid for the event, with the plans being endorsed by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
The most recent Women’s World Cup was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 2023. Brazil will host the 2027 tournament, marking the first time the event has been held in South America.
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