The United Kingdom’s bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup as the sole “valid” bidder is a significant moment for both women’s football and the country. With Fifa confirming that the UK’s bid is the only one received for that year, it sets the stage for a historic event that would bring the tournament to the home nations for the second time, following the 1966 men’s World Cup in England.
This announcement is exciting for the future of women’s football, especially as it highlights the growing momentum of the sport, not only in the UK but globally. As England’s manager Sarina Wiegman noted, hosting another major tournament would be a tremendous opportunity to further boost the game’s popularity, especially after the success of the 2022 Women’s Euros. The experience of hosting the Euros and the increasing profile of women’s football in the UK could make the 2035 World Cup a milestone event for the sport.
The formal bidding process will begin later this year, but with no other competing bids, the UK seems to be on a strong path to securing the tournament. The decision to host the Women’s World Cup in the home nations is also a symbolic and practical move for Fifa, as it continues to promote and elevate the women’s game across the globe.
It will be fascinating to see how the UK, particularly through the efforts of the Football Association (FA), structures the bid and prepares to host the tournament. Given the UK’s track record in organizing successful football events, including the Euros, there’s potential for the 2035 Women’s World Cup to be a standout edition.
How do you think the UK will approach preparing for such a high-profile event? Will it have a major impact on women’s football in the country?