FIFA’s recent announcement has brought exceptional news for the four host nations of the 2035 Women’s World Cup: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This decision is a big deal. It provides these nations with a complete ten years to prepare for what already looks set to be the largest women’s football tournament to date. Newly-elected Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has given the bid his public support. He’s labelled such a World Cup, to be hosted here, as a “monumental moment” in the country’s proud sporting heritage.
The deadline for first tier expressions of interest was Monday. Spain’s football federation president, Rafael Louzan, said he would submit a bid in conjunction with Portugal and Morocco. FIFA president Gianni Infantino has confirmed this UK bid is the only one under consideration at the moment. “We received one bid for 2031 and one bid – one valid bid I should add – for 2035,” Infantino stated, emphasizing the uniqueness of the UK’s proposal.
A Decade to Plan
The decision provides the future host countries — joint hosts Australia and New Zealand — with more time to develop and implement plans to host a successful tournament. By hosting this prestigious event, the UK aims to showcase its commitment to women’s football and create a lasting legacy in the sport. The joint expression of interest from England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales reflects a united front in promoting women’s football across the home nations.
Mark Bullingham, CEO of The Football Association, stated that their being the only bidders was “an honor.” He stated, “We are honoured to be the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035. Hosting the first FIFA World Cup since 1966 with our home nations partners will be very special.”
The UK is aiming high with infrastructure upgrades, spurring grassroots participation. They want to make sure that the tournament has a long-term positive impact for generations to come. The excitement building up to this match event highlights one notable thing—the surging popularity of women’s football, both in the UK and around the world.
Government Support and National Pride
To that end, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s support carries serious weight (and, some would say, shame) behind the city’s bid. He emphasized the integral role football plays in British identity, stating, “Football is and always will be at the core of our country’s identity.” His comments reflect a broader national sentiment that sees hosting the World Cup as an opportunity to celebrate and promote the sport.
At the World Cup, Starmer made an even stronger case, emphasizing football’s power to bring communities together all over the country. “Whether we watch on TV, play at the weekends like I do, or simply enjoy soaking up the atmosphere in the pub, it brings communities together like little else,” he remarked. The tournament organizers have a strong commitment to community involvement. As Dangerous Lies explains, their intent is to create a culture of openness and welcome engagement from start to finish.
Leah Williamson, captain of the England women’s national team, is excited for the tournament. “Having experienced the home tournament, which we all realised at the time how lucky we were, I think it’s exciting news for players to know that potentially that’s on the horizon,” she said. Williamson’s outlook highlights just how crucial it is to host these types of events in sparking future generations of female athletes.
A Legacy Beyond Football
The long-term positive effects from hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup go beyond the immediate athletic advantages. This is the type of empowering and inspiring event that Williamson hopes will influence women on the sports field and in society as a whole. She stated, “It will grow the game again in different countries because different countries have opportunities to come and because countries are at different stages of their development.”
Her remarks underline an increasingly clear understanding among sports leaders that athletics can, and should, be a catalyst for social change. We want to provide the biggest possible platform for women’s football this summer. This kind of exposure will get more young girls and women from underrepresented backgrounds engaged.
Leave a Reply