Scotland set to co-host 2035 Women’s World Cup – Daily Business

Scotland is set to co-host the 2035 Women’s World Cup after FIFA gave the green light to the UK’s joint bid to stage the showpiece for the first time.

Last month saw the Scottish FA join the football associations of England, Wales and Northern Ireland in submitting a formal notice of interest to host the event.

It was thought that a joint bid from Spain, Portugal and Morocco would also be tabled alongside the home nations’ offer but with the deadline for initial expressions of interest having passed on Monday, the path is now clear for the UK.

Speaking at a UEFA congress in Belgrade today, FIFA president Gianni Infantino said: “I can confirm as part of the bidding process that we received one bid for 2031 and one valid bid for 2035.

“The 2031 bid is the United States of America and potentially some other Concacaf members and the 2035 bid is from Europe and the home nations.

“So the path is there for the Women’s World Cup in 2031 and 2035 to take place in some great nations and further boost the women’s football movement.”

Hampden Park is being earmarked for matches in Scotland, with the final likely to be played at Wembley Stadium in London.

The UK’s joint bid is subject to further checks by FIFA but authorities will be confident of meeting all necessary criteria ahead of the official decision at next year’s FIFA Congress.

The decision is a major boost for the women’s game in Scotland.

Speaking last month after the submission of the joint bid by the home nations, Scottish FA president Ian Maxwell said: “Being part of a UK bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup will provide a memorable global spectacle for fans of all ages.

“As well as having the eyes of the world on the sport’s biggest tournament, it will allow our fans to experience the magic of a Women’s World Cup on our doorstep, ideally with the Scotland Women’s National team taking centre stage at Hampden Park.”