UK Bids to Host 2035 Women's World Cup, With Old Trafford Stadium Included
Manchester United's proposed new stadium at Old Trafford has been included on the list of host venues for the 2035 Women's World Cup. The UK's bid is the only one still in contention, with Fifa expected to make a decision by 2031.
The tournament will feature 48 teams and require 15 stadiums, with matches contested over 39 days. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are jointly bidding for the event, which would be the second time a World Cup has been held in the home nations after the 1966 men's tournament in England.
A joint statement from the CEOs of The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA, and FA of Wales said that the bid had "the power to turbo charge the women's and girls' game both in the UK and globally." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also expressed his support for the bid, saying it would bring millions of fans to the UK and benefit communities and businesses.
Old Trafford was not considered for the 2028 men's European Championship and is still in planning stages. If redevelopment plans do not go ahead, the stadium will be included in its current form. Other stadiums on the list include Birmingham City's planned new stadium and Wembley, which is likely to host the final.
The UK bid includes a mix of existing and proposed venues, with many cities expected to be disappointed by the selection process. Fifa will hold on-site visits before publishing an evaluation report in March, with a potential host vote set for April 2026.
The inclusion of Old Trafford has been welcomed by Manchester United, with the club's plans for a new stadium still in progress. Construction work is planned but not yet underway, and it remains to be seen whether the venue will meet Fifa requirements.
Overall, the UK bid is well ahead of the competition, with many experts predicting that it will be ratified by Fifa. However, the selection process is expected to take several years, and venues may change over time before a final decision is made.
Manchester United's proposed new stadium at Old Trafford has been included on the list of host venues for the 2035 Women's World Cup. The UK's bid is the only one still in contention, with Fifa expected to make a decision by 2031.
The tournament will feature 48 teams and require 15 stadiums, with matches contested over 39 days. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland are jointly bidding for the event, which would be the second time a World Cup has been held in the home nations after the 1966 men's tournament in England.
A joint statement from the CEOs of The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA, and FA of Wales said that the bid had "the power to turbo charge the women's and girls' game both in the UK and globally." Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also expressed his support for the bid, saying it would bring millions of fans to the UK and benefit communities and businesses.
Old Trafford was not considered for the 2028 men's European Championship and is still in planning stages. If redevelopment plans do not go ahead, the stadium will be included in its current form. Other stadiums on the list include Birmingham City's planned new stadium and Wembley, which is likely to host the final.
The UK bid includes a mix of existing and proposed venues, with many cities expected to be disappointed by the selection process. Fifa will hold on-site visits before publishing an evaluation report in March, with a potential host vote set for April 2026.
The inclusion of Old Trafford has been welcomed by Manchester United, with the club's plans for a new stadium still in progress. Construction work is planned but not yet underway, and it remains to be seen whether the venue will meet Fifa requirements.
Overall, the UK bid is well ahead of the competition, with many experts predicting that it will be ratified by Fifa. However, the selection process is expected to take several years, and venues may change over time before a final decision is made.