Committee publication · Correspondence · 9 December 2025
Letter from Stephanie Peacock MP, Minister for Sport, Tourism, Civil Society and Youth, regarding UK-wide bid to host the Women’s World Cup 2035, 1 December 2025
From: Culture, Media and Sport Committee
Inquiry: The work of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport
Summary
Minister Stephanie Peacock informs the Culture, Media and Sport Committee that the four Home Nations Football Associations submitted a joint UK-wide bid to host the FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 on 28 November 2025, backed by UK and devolved governments. The bid spans prospective host cities and stadia across all four nations and positions the tournament as culmination of the government's decade of investment in women's and girls' sport. FIFA Congress will decide on hosts for 2031 and 2035 tournaments in April 2026.
Key findings
- Joint bid submitted by four Home Nations Football Associations on 28 November 2025, supported by UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, and Northern Ireland Executive
- FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 would be the largest major sporting event the UK has never previously hosted
- Bid includes prospective host cities and stadia across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to distribute socio-economic benefits nationwide
- Government frames tournament as culmination of decade-long investment in women's and girls' sport, including grassroots facilities and PE curriculum review
- FIFA Congress decision on 2031 and 2035 tournament hosts expected in April 2026
Tone
ProceduralTopics
Key actors
Stephanie Peacock MP, Dame Caroline Dinenage MP, Prime Minister, Football Association (FA), FIFA, Scottish Government, Welsh Government, Northern Ireland Executive
Notable line
“… hosting this tournament would provide another monumental moment in our sporting history, driving growth, uniting communities and enhancing the UK's soft power”
Key Quotes
“… the four Home Nations Football Associations submitted their joint bid to host the tournament, supported by the UK Government, Scottish Government, Welsh Government and Northern Ireland Executive”
“… the FIFA Women's World Cup™ being the largest major sporting event the UK has never previously hosted”
“As the largest single sport women's event in the world, the FIFA Women's World Cup™ would act as the culmination of this Government's decade of change for women's and girls' sport”
Source · parliament.uk record ↗