Football fever is already gripping the UK as FIFA president Gianni Infantino has all but confirmed that the 2035 Women’s World Cup is coming is coming to the UK.
Infantino, speaking at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade, made a jaw-dropping statement, declaring the UK’s joint bid as the “one valid bid” for the tournament. That’s right – the combined efforts of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales have seemingly left the competition in the dust, paving the way for the UK to become the centre of the footballing universe in 10 years’ time.
The deadline for initial expressions of interest closed on Monday, and while Spain’s federation president, Rafael Louzán, made a last-minute announcement that Spain, Portugal, and Morocco were looking to launch a rival bid, Infantino’s comments suggest that the UK is already in pole position.
“We received one bid for 2031 and one bid – one valid bid I should add – for 2035,” Infantino revealed, sending shockwaves through the footballing world. “The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations.”
That statement alone is enough to send UK fans into a frenzy. The prospect of hosting one of the biggest sporting events on the planet is tantalising, and it seems that FIFA’s rotation rules have played right into the UK’s hands. With Brazil confirmed as the 2027 host and the USA heavily tipped to land the 2031 edition, only European or African nations could throw their hat in the ring for 2035.
The UK’s bid was officially launched last month when the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland joined forces in a historic move. Their goal? To bring the biggest Women’s World Cup ever to British soil. And now, it looks like they’re about to hit the jackpot.
For years, the UK has been a powerhouse in the women’s game. England’s Lionesses are reigning European champions, the Women’s Super League is booming, and the demand for top-tier women’s football has never been higher. Add to that world-class stadiums, an unmatched footballing heritage, and a fanbase hungry for more global tournaments, and it’s no surprise FIFA sees this as a slam-dunk decision.
The UK has successfully hosted major footballing events in the past, including the men’s 1966 World Cup, Euro 96, and most recently, the UEFA Women’s Euros in 2022, which saw record-breaking attendance numbers and an unforgettable triumph for England. That tournament proved beyond doubt that the UK can deliver a world-class spectacle – and FIFA appears to have taken note.
Spain, Portugal, and Morocco were hoping to make things interesting, but Infantino’s words suggest their bid has failed to gain the traction needed to seriously challenge the UK. While all three nations boast incredible footballing traditions, the logistics of a multi-continent tournament, combined with FIFA’s clear preference for an established, ready-to-go footballing powerhouse, might have left their bid dead on arrival.
FIFA’s decision-making process isn’t over just yet, but the signs are clear – unless something drastic happens, the UK will be hosting the 2035 Women’s World Cup.
With the initial bidding stage now closed, FIFA will continue evaluating the proposals before making a formal decision. If everything goes as expected, an official announcement could come within the next year, confirming the UK as the undisputed host of the tournament.
For football fans across the home nations, this is nothing short of a dream come true. Imagine packed stadiums in London, Glasgow, Cardiff, and Belfast, with the best players in the world battling for glory. The atmosphere, the passion, the history – it all points to one conclusion: the UK is ready to deliver the best Women’s World Cup in history!
So, start marking your calendars and planning your trips – 2035 is shaping up to be the biggest football party Britain has ever seen!
Main Image: Door Jbmg40 – Eigen werk, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4268970
