What's happened
The UK has submitted a bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, proposing 22 stadiums across 16 cities in England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The tournament would feature 48 teams, 104 matches, and aim to be the most accessible ever, with a projected global audience of 3.5 billion. The bid includes plans for new and redeveloped stadiums, with Wembley Stadium set to host the final if successful.
What's behind the headline?
The UK bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup reflects a strategic move to leverage the country's football infrastructure and growing popularity of women's football. The inclusion of 22 stadiums across multiple nations demonstrates a commitment to regional representation and accessibility, with 63 million people living within two hours of a proposed venue. The bid's emphasis on new stadiums and redevelopment signals a long-term investment in the sport's infrastructure.
However, the bid also highlights the increasing competition among nations to host major sporting events, with FIFA favoring bids that demonstrate both capacity and legacy potential. The UK’s focus on inclusivity and legacy aligns with FIFA’s broader goals of expanding women's football globally. The success of this bid could significantly boost the sport's profile in the UK, inspiring participation and investment, especially given the recent growth in interest following England's Euros success.
The bid's emphasis on accessibility and infrastructure suggests it will likely succeed, but it faces challenges from other international bids, notably the US-Mexico-Costa Rica proposal for 2031. The decision will hinge on FIFA’s assessment of regional capacity, legacy plans, and political support. If awarded, the tournament will be the largest in women's football history, with potential long-term benefits for the sport's development in the UK and beyond.
What the papers say
The Guardian highlights the bid's potential to inspire future generations and emphasizes the importance of legacy, quoting Scottish FA officials and the impact on women's football. Sky News underscores the bid's extensive stadium plans and accessibility, noting the inclusion of 22 venues across the UK and the projected global audience of 3.5 billion. Reuters emphasizes the strategic regional distribution of stadiums and the bid's alignment with FIFA's expansion goals, mentioning the 16 host cities and the long-term infrastructure plans. AP News provides a comprehensive overview of the bid's scope, including the number of matches, venues, and the historical context of the UK's previous hosting in 1966, contrasting with the US bid for 2031 and the broader international competition.
How we got here
The bid follows a series of successful recent tournaments, including the 2022 Women's Euros in England, which saw increased interest and participation in women's football. The UK bid emphasizes infrastructure, accessibility, and legacy, aiming to boost the sport's growth domestically and globally. The bid is part of FIFA's broader expansion plans for women's tournaments, with the UK competing against other international bids for 2035.
Go deeper
Common question
-
What are the details of the UK bid to host the 2035 Women's World Cup?
The UK has submitted a joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, involving 16 cities and 22 stadiums across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. This ambitious plan aims to boost women's football, create lasting infrastructure, and position the UK as a global sports hub. But what exactly does this bid entail, and why is it so significant? Below, we explore the key details, benefits, and implications of the UK's bid to host this major tournament.
-
What are the details of the UK’s bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup?
The UK has put forward an ambitious bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, aiming to make it the most accessible and widely viewed tournament in history. With plans for 22 stadiums across four nations and a global audience of billions, this bid could reshape women’s football in the UK and beyond. Curious about what this bid involves and its potential impact? Read on to find out more about the UK’s plans and what it could mean for football fans worldwide.
-
Will the UK Host the 2035 Women's World Cup?
The UK has put forward a bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women's World Cup, aiming to be a landmark event for women's football. With plans for 22 stadiums across 16 cities and a projected global audience of 3.5 billion, many are wondering if the UK will secure this prestigious tournament. Here’s what you need to know about the bid, the venues involved, and what it could mean for the future of women’s sports.
More on these topics
-
FIFA is a non-profit organization which describes itself as an international governing body of association football, fútsal, beach soccer, and efootball. It is the highest governing body of football.
-
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic Sea to the south-west. As of 2021, it had a population of 3.2 million.
-
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest of England and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. England is separated from continental Europe by
-
Northern Ireland is variously described as a country, province or region which is part of the United Kingdom. Located in the northeast of the island of Ireland, Northern Ireland shares a border to the south and west with the Republic of Ireland.
-
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a 96 mile border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the north and w
-
Giovanni Vincenzo "Gianni" Infantino is a Swiss–Italian football administrator and the current president of FIFA. He was elected President of FIFA during the 2016 FIFA Extraordinary Congress on 26 February 2016.
-
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom or Britain, is a sovereign country located off the northwestern coast of the European mainland.