The United Kingdom has officially been identified as the only "valid" contender to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, according to FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The bid was submitted collaboratively by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in March, in accordance with FIFA’s rotation rules which dictate that the tournament must take place in Europe or Africa.
Despite Spain’s federation president Rafael Louzan announcing their intention to develop a joint bid with Portugal and Morocco, the deadline for submissions has now passed, confirming the UK's position as the sole valid applicant. Infantino announced this 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." The United States is set to host the Women's World Cup in 2031, alongside potentially other Concacaf members.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham expressed excitement about the UK's status as the only bidder for the 2035 tournament: "We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035." He emphasized that preparations would begin immediately to develop the strongest bid possible ahead of the formal submission deadline at the end of this year. A voting process to confirm the hosts will take place in a FIFA congress scheduled for 2026.
Additionally, Infantino specified that the 2031 Women's World Cup will expand to a 48-team format, increasing from the previous 32 teams expected for 2027. Should the UK’s bid be ratified, it would mark the second occasion a World Cup is hosted in the home nations, the first being the iconic 1966 men's tournament in England.
Despite Spain’s federation president Rafael Louzan announcing their intention to develop a joint bid with Portugal and Morocco, the deadline for submissions has now passed, confirming the UK's position as the sole valid applicant. Infantino announced this 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." The United States is set to host the Women's World Cup in 2031, alongside potentially other Concacaf members.
FA chief executive Mark Bullingham expressed excitement about the UK's status as the only bidder for the 2035 tournament: "We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035." He emphasized that preparations would begin immediately to develop the strongest bid possible ahead of the formal submission deadline at the end of this year. A voting process to confirm the hosts will take place in a FIFA congress scheduled for 2026.
Additionally, Infantino specified that the 2031 Women's World Cup will expand to a 48-team format, increasing from the previous 32 teams expected for 2027. Should the UK’s bid be ratified, it would mark the second occasion a World Cup is hosted in the home nations, the first being the iconic 1966 men's tournament in England.
