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The United Kingdom is set to host the 2035 Women's World Cup as the only "valid" bidder for the tournament, according to FIFA president Gianni Infantino. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland submitted a joint expression of interest in March to host the tournament across the home nations. Under FIFA's rotation policy, the tournament must be held in either Europe or Africa. Although Spain's federation president Rafael Louzan recently stated that Spain, Portugal, and Morocco were considering a joint bid, the deadline for submissions passed on Monday, leaving the UK bid as the only one received for 2035. Meanwhile, the United States is set to host the 2031 edition.
Infantino confirmed the situation during a UEFA congress in Belgrade, stating that FIFA had received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035. He explained that the 2031 bid is led by the United States and potentially other Concacaf nations, while the 2035 bid comes from Europe and the home nations. He expressed optimism that these tournaments will further elevate women's football globally. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham acknowledged the honor of being the sole bidder and emphasized the importance of working hard to put together a strong proposal by the end of the year. Similarly, Scottish FA chief Ian Maxwell looked forward to finalizing the proposal to create a tournament that excites fans worldwide and inspires young girls and women in Scotland. Irish FA chief Patrick Nelson highlighted the need for ongoing collaboration with partners to ensure a successful bid, while Welsh FA chief Noel Mooney saw this as an opportunity to build on the momentum of Wales' upcoming participation in the Women's Euros and hosting of major women's finals.
England women's manager Sarina Wiegman emphasized the impact of hosting major tournaments, recalling the success of the 2022 Euros and how it propelled women's football forward in the country. She expressed excitement about the potential of another major tournament on an even bigger scale. Formal bids for the 2035 Women's World Cup must be submitted this winter, with a final vote taking place at FIFA's 2026 congress. Infantino also confirmed that the 2031 edition will feature 48 teams, expanding from the 32-team format planned for 2027. If confirmed, this will mark the first time the UK has hosted a senior FIFA World Cup since the men's tournament in England in 1966. The 2035 event is expected to have England hosting the majority of matches, with the final likely taking place at Wembley Stadium.
