Man Utd’s New Old Trafford Included in UK’s Bid to Host 2035 Women’s World Cup

Manchester United’s proposed new Old Trafford stadium has been named among the 22 venues submitted in the United Kingdom’s joint bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. According to a BBC Sport report on Friday, while Old Trafford was left out of the UK and Ireland’s successful bid to host the 2028 UEFA Men’s European Championship, it remains under consideration for the Women’s World Cup. Redevelopment plans for the stadium are still in progress, but even if the upgrades do not move forward, the venue will still be included in its current form. The joint UK bid—submitted by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland—currently faces no opposition and could be formally approved at the FIFA Congress in 2026. Other stadiums shortlisted for the tournament include Birmingham City’s proposed new stadium and Wembley Stadium, which is widely expected to host the final match. If confirmed, the 2035 tournament would mark only the second time a World Cup is held in the home nations, following England’s hosting of the 1966 Men’s World Cup. In total, Friday’s announcement named 22 stadiums: 16 in England, three in Wales, two in Scotland, and one in Northern Ireland. In a joint statement, the CEOs of The FA, Irish FA, Scottish FA, and FA of Wales said the bid represented a major opportunity to accelerate the development of women’s and girls’ football. “A Women’s World Cup in the UK has the power to turbocharge the women’s and girls’ game both in the UK and globally. Our bid also demonstrates our commitment to leaving a lasting legacy in the run-up to 2035 and the years afterwards,” the statement read. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the proposal, saying: “The Lionesses’ success has inspired girls across our country, and we’ll build on that momentum by welcoming millions of football fans from around the world to a tournament that will benefit communities and businesses in host cities up and down the UK.” Scottish women’s national team coach Melissa Andreatta added that hosting the tournament would deliver long-term benefits for the sport, noting: “The impact of bringing the World Cup to our nation would be felt for decades, driving participation, investment, and equality at every level of the sport.”