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It’s official: the UK will host the Women’s World Cup in 2035

Fifa said the UK was the only ‘valid bid’ to host the tournament in 10 years’ time

India Lawrence
Written by
India Lawrence
Staff Writer, UK
The Lionesses
Photograph: Shutterstock
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We all love the Lionesses. The England women’s football team are so great they won the Euros, made it to the World Cup final and even had a tube line named after them. So, it’s very exciting that in ten years’ time will be able to watch them compete on home turf, as the UK is set to host the Women’s World Cup in 2035. 

Fifa has confirmed that the UK were the ‘sole bidders’ to host the future football tournament, making us the default winners. England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland submitted a joint expression of interest in March to hold the World Cup here in Britain. 

Per the Fifa rotation rules, the 2035 Women’s World Cup has to be hosted in Europe or Africa. Last week Spain’s football federation president Rafael Louzan said they were ‘working on’ a joint bid alongside Portugal and Morocco. However, the deadline to submit bids has now passed and Spain, Portugal and Morocco haven’t put their names into the ring. 

Fifa president Gianni Infantino said the home nations was the only ‘valid’ bid, making it highly likely that the competition will be held here. 

‘Today I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035,’ Infantino said at a Uefa congress in Belgrade.

The 2031 Women’s World Cup is set to take place in the USA. 

FA chief executive Mark Bullingham said in a statement: ‘We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the Fifa Women's World Cup 2035. The hard work starts now to put together the best possible bid by the end of the year.’ 

At a press conference, the Lionesses’ manager Sarina Wiegman said it would be ‘great if that tournament was held here’.

She added: ‘We know with the experience of the Euros how big the game is already here and what that momentum did here in the country, but also worldwide. So another tournament on an even bigger stage would be incredible and that will give another boost to the game.’

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