London | November 29, 2025:
In a historic display of unity, the football associations of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have formally submitted a joint bid to host the 2035 FIFA Women’s World Cup, positioning the event as the “largest single-sport tournament in UK history.” The proposal, filed on November 28, aims to bring a world-class women’s football spectacle to the UK—marking the country’s first major international football tournament since the 1966 Men’s World Cup.
Backed by a £2 billion investment package, the bid outlines an ambitious plan to utilize 20 stadiums across the four nations, including flagship venues such as Wembley Stadium (90,000 capacity), Hampden Park (51,000), Principality Stadium, and Windsor Park. If approved, the tournament would welcome a projected 1.5 million fans, surpassing all previous attendance records.
FIFA President Gianni Infantino praised the “unified Home Nations approach,” calling it a model for collaborative global sporting events. The joint submission comes at a time when women’s football is experiencing unprecedented growth following the UK’s successful UEFA Women’s Euro 2022 campaign and the 2023 Women’s World Cup’s record 2 billion global viewers.
FA CEO Mark Bullingham said the bid was designed with long-term legacy targets, including raising female participation in football to 50% by 2035. The proposal emphasizes sustainability, inclusivity, high-speed rail connectivity, and community-driven development that leverages the UK’s strong sporting infrastructure.
Economically, the UK government projects a £3 billion boost from tourism, hospitality, and job creation, with 50,000 new jobs anticipated across event management, transport, and media. The bid also highlights post-Brexit teamwork, with analysts noting that the tournament could serve as a symbolic gesture of unity among the four nations after years of political strain.
The UK faces stiff competition from a US–Canada joint bid and a solo bid by Australia, both of which aim to build on their recent successes in hosting major tournaments. However, the UK’s existing infrastructure, consolidated transport network, and cross-nation collaboration are viewed as strong competitive advantages.
Critics, including Scotland’s First Minister Humza Yousaf, have questioned the timing of the £2 billion commitment, citing ongoing NHS pressures and public spending constraints. Yet public sentiment appears overwhelmingly positive, with 70% support in national polls.
With bidding set to close in December 2025 and the host announcement expected by mid-2026, the UK’s proposal positions the 2035 Women’s World Cup as a historic opportunity to elevate women’s sports and strengthen inter-nation ties across the United Kingdom.
