Cliff Notes – Sarina Wiegman: 2035 Women’s World Cup ‘so exciting’ for UK
- England head coach Sarina Wiegman expressed enthusiasm for the UK’s potential hosting of the 2035 Women’s World Cup, highlighting its ability to further elevate women’s football.
- FIFA president Gianni Infantino confirmed that the UK is the sole valid bidder for the 2035 tournament, with formal bids due this winter and a vote scheduled for next year.
- Captain Leah Williamson remains hopeful about participating in the home tournament, emphasising the positive impact of the 2022 Euros on women’s football in the UK.
Sarina Wiegman: 2035 Women’s World Cup ‘so exciting’ for UK
England head coach Sarina Wiegman has said the UK’s likely hosting of the 2035 World Cup is “so exciting” and will provide “another boost” to the women’s game, while captain Leah Williamson suggested she has not given up hope of playing in the home tournament.
FIFA president Gianni Infantino said on Thursday that the United States and the United Kingdom are poised to be named as hosts of the Women’s World Cup in 2031 and 2035, respectively.
Infantino said that the joint bid from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland was the only “valid bid” of interest for the 2035 tournament after the deadline passed, with the United States also putting forward the only bid for the 2031 edition.
Formal bids for 2035 must be submitted this winter, with a vote taking place next year to confirm hosts for 2031 and 2035.
Wiegman masterminded the the Lionesses’ triumph at the European Championship in 2022 which England hosted, while Williamson lifted the trophy as captain.
“It’s really good news, and it would be really great if that tournament will be held here,” Wiegman told a news conference ahead of England’s Nations League game against Belgium on Friday.
“We know with the experience of the Euros, how big the game is already here and what that momentum did here in the country, but also worldwide, I think. So another tournament, on an even bigger stage would be incredible, and that will give another boost to the game.”
Asked whether having the World Cup played in the UK feels a step up to hosting the Euros, Wiegman said: “Well, Euros feels really good too, especially the last two, I would say. So hopefully the next one will feel really good too, but it’s an even bigger stage. It is the biggest female event we have in the world, so that’s so exciting. So yes, again, it will be incredible to have it here.”
Leah Williamson was named England captain by Sarina Wiegman in 2022. Jacob King/PA Images via Getty Images
Infantino also told the UEFA Congress in Belgrade that the World Cup is set to expand to 48 teams in time for the 2031 World Cup.
The expansion of the men’s World Cup to 48 teams for the 2030 edition in the United States, Canada and Mexico has received criticism for being too bloated, but Wiegman said the 48-team tournament will “empower women in sport.”
“That’s a good question. [It is a] tricky answer because before this World Cup I said: ‘well, I’m not sure, are we ready?’ But that World Cup in ’23 really showed that to have more teams there made it even more … Well, it made it competitive. It was a very good tournament,” Wiegman, who said she does not expect to be working as a coach in 2035, said.
“It will grow the game again in different countries because different countries have opportunities to come and still lots of challenges to overcome because countries are in different stages of their development. So it will empower women in sport, women in football, women in sport, and women in society I think.”
Williamson said the home tournament can build upon the impact the Euros had in the UK in 2022.
“I think obviously that World Cup isn’t confirmed. I know that we’re a sole bidder,” Williamson said.
“I think the demonstration of 2022, I’m proud to have been a part of such a good show for women’s football, like Serena says globally as well. But I think the commitment from the FA, the conversations that we are in all the time about how we push the game on, I think 2022 was a great demonstration of that intent. And then to follow up with a World Cup bid, I think it says a lot about how much we care about women’s football here on home soil, but then also globally as well.
“I think we know the impact that we can have by demonstrating how incredible those tournaments can be.”
The 28-year-old also refused to rule out her chances of leading the team out at a home World Cup in 10 years time.
“Who knows?” she said. “But I think 100%, if players know the home tournament’s coming up, then 100% they would, I think, have that in the back of their mind.”