FA plotting bid to host Women's World Cup 2031 after Lionesses' success

25 May 2023 , 09:17

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Leah Williamson and Millie Bright of England lift the UEFA Women's EURO 2022 Trophy after their side's victory in the final match against Germany at Wembley Stadium in July 2022 (Image: Photo by Lynne Cameron - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

England could stage the 2031 Women’s World Cup as the Football Association are considering a bid to host the tournament.

The 2022 Women’s European Championships were held on home soil to great success, with the Lionesses’ triumphing in front of a record crowd at Wembley Stadium to bring the total aggregate attendance to over half a million as new benchmarks were constantly set for the women’s game.

And FA chairwomen Debby Hewitt has said that England are keen on building on the success of 2022 and a successful Women’s World Cup bid would have a “hugely positive” impact on the country.

The bid marks the first time that England has bid to host the women's showpiece event. England hosted the men’s World Cup in 1966 but have since lost twice in bids for the 2006 and 2018 editions.

England are currently engaged in a joint-UK bid for the men’s Euro 2028, but Hewitt, who was also elected as FIFA’s first female vice-president in March, stated that a consideration for 2031 would follow.

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As reports the Times, Hewitt said: “We want to be known as a centre for successfully hosting major events. It has a hugely positive impact on the country and on local communities who participate, so why wouldn’t we have ambitions to host a Women’s World Cup, particularly as the women’s game is growing?

“Our mind is focused on Euro 2028 and we have a very difficult and important bid to win, but as the chair you should always keep your mind’s eye on what’s the next one and what can we do to put ourselves in good shape, and the Women’s World Cup is a very attractive proposition.”

Any forward movement would hinge on conversations with the government and political parties, Hewitt said, while confirmation of any bidding plans must wait until the result of the 2027 Women’s World Cup bidding process. Brazil, South Africa and joint bids from the United States/Mexico and Germany/Holland/Belgium are all in contention. If the latter is successful, the English bid would have to be put on hold until 2035 due to the European tie.

Sarina Wiegman's Lionesses are preparing for the summer's Women's World Cup as they look to lift their first-ever World Cup trophy off the back of their Euro 2022 success. Wiegman is due to announce her summer squad next week for the tournament in New Zealand and Australia, following the culmination of the domestic season.

Megan Feringa