UK expresses interest in hosting FIFA Women’s World Cup in the 2030s

The GIST: As the UK further invests in expanding its women’s soccer footprint, governmental agency UK Sport shared its ambitions to host the country’s first-ever FIFA Women’s World Cup (WWC) in the 2030s. Playing the long game.

The details: The WWC joins the men’s Rugby World Cup as one of several new additions to the funding body’s proposed list of 70 major event hosting targets. A feasibility evaluation for the WWC is next, which considers factors such as the bidding process, financial impacts, venue availability, chances of bid and the Lionesses’ success, and potential for social impact.

The timing: As of now, UK Sport is targeting either the 2031, 2035, or 2039 WWC tournaments, but that could change once the 2027 host is announced this May. If the Germany, Netherlands, and Belgium bid wins for 2027, the UK would have to push its bid back to 2035 or 2039, but if either the U.S. and Mexico or Brazil wins hosting rights, the UK could have a go as early as 2031.

• China, England, Morocco, and South Africa have already expressed interest in a 2031 WWC bid, while Saudi Arabia made a splash by announcing a potential 2035 bid. Everybody wants some.

Zooming out: The UK’s plan is similar to Australia’s “Golden Decade” strategy, which has shown continued success after hosting its first-ever WWC in 2023. The popularity of the WSL, creation of NewCo, and the Lionesses' 2023 WWC success all point to this being a winning goal.