FIFA’s report on the UK-wide bid sets out plans to redevelop Belfast’s Windsor Park for the 2035 Women’s World Cup, including raising capacity to 23,750, an increase of 5,250 seats. The venue currently holds 18,500 spectators and must be expanded because it is proposed as a host ground for matches through the quarterfinals.
The governing bodies of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales submitted a joint bid. It is the only proposal to stage the tournament and is therefore expected to be ratified at the Extraordinary FIFA Congress on November 23. The 2035 tournament would be staged across all four nations. Windsor Park is the sole Northern Ireland stadium among the 19 venues nominated.
The FIFA report says further redevelopment is planned at Windsor Park, including the capacity increase by 2035. It states that the work is expected to strengthen the stadium’s suitability as a modern international venue. The stadium authority has committed to implementing the upgrades required to meet minimum standards. The project also includes a hybrid-grass playing surface with tournament-compliant field dimensions and an upgraded floodlighting system. The Irish Football Association has been contacted for comment.
Windsor Park was last redeveloped in 2015, when the Irish Football Association received £28.75 million from the Northern Ireland Executive to raise the seating capacity to 18,500. That funding brought the ground to its present capacity. Separate plans for Northern Ireland to host matches at Euro 2028 collapsed after the government said it would not provide funding to redevelop Casement Park in time for that tournament.
Of the 19 stadiums in the 2035 bid, 14 are in England, two in Scotland and two in Wales. England accounts for the largest share of the proposed venues. The English grounds are Villa Park, The Amex, Ashton Gate, Elland Road, Hill Dickinson Stadium, Emirates Stadium, Selhurst Park, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Wembley, Etihad Stadium, St James’ Park, City Ground, Stadium of Light and Old Trafford. Easter Road and Hampden Park are the Scottish candidates, while Cardiff City Stadium and Principality Stadium are the Welsh venues.
Brazil will host the 2027 Women’s World Cup. The United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica submitted the only bid for the 2031 edition, which will expand from 32 teams to 48 for the first time.