‘Lasting legacy’ promised as Belfast put forward for 2035 Women’s World Cup

(L-R) are: Northern Ireland - 12 year old Megan McCabe from west Belfast, who plays for Linfield and the Irish FA’s Performance Programme which is based at Ulster University’s Jordanstown Campus; Wales - Sophia Huntley aged 9 who plays for Buckley Town, a thriving club with a committed volunteer base; Scotland - Erin Smith, who plays for Clark Drive and is in the South West Emerging Talent Centre programme; and England - Victoria Jones, 14 years old from Liverpool and plays for Liverpool’s Professional Game Academy after coming through their Emerging Talent Centre.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald has hailed the submission of a joint bid to host the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035, describing the potential tournament as an opportunity to inspire future generations and boost international tourism.

The proposed UK–Ireland bid, submitted today, involves the Irish Football Association (IFA), the Football Association (FA), the Scottish Football Association and the Football Association of Wales. Belfast has been formally included as one of the candidate host cities.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup is the largest single-sport women’s event globally, drawing a broadcast audience of around two billion and attracting thousands of travelling fans.

Dr Archibald said:

“I very much welcome the official submission of the bid to FIFA today, with Belfast included as a host city for matches.

“Should FIFA decide to award the tournament to this bid, hosting such a prestigious, global event would have a lasting legacy of inspiring women and girls to become more active and involved in sports, whilst attracting international visitors to our shores.

“We have recently demonstrated our ability in hosting major events with the successful delivery of The 153rd Open, strengthening our reputation across the world.

“We are grateful to the Irish FA and our neighbouring partners in preparing the joint bid and we await the decision with every hope that we get the opportunity to play our part in hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035.”

The final decision on the host nation will be made at the FIFA Council meeting in April 2026.

Angela Platt, Director of Women’s Football for the Irish FA, said:

“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup would be a defining moment for young girls who play football across our four home nations.

“For Northern Ireland, this aligns directly with our Together We Thrive women and girls’ strategy. Our priority is to create a lasting legacy that gives more women and girls’ the chance to play, develop and stay involved in football at every level.

“We want to accelerate the game for everyone and the potential to cohost the Women’s World Cup would really expedite that process and open even more pathways for the next generation.”

If successful, the tournament is expected to leave a significant social and economic footprint across the UK and Ireland, deepening engagement in women’s sport and further positioning Belfast as a world-class event destination.