Windsor Park in Belfast will play a central role in Northern Ireland’s bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup. Photo/BBC/NIPHO
EPICSTORIAN – Northern Ireland is poised to play a key role in the 2035 Women’s World Cup as part of the United Kingdom’s joint bid.
Following the submission of an expression of interest by England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland in March, FIFA confirmed the UK’s bid as the only “valid” proposal for the tournament.
The news was welcomed by Patrick Nelson, Chief Executive of the Irish Football Association, who described the development as “great news.”
Nelson expressed confidence in the opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland, particularly Belfast, to a global audience. “We look forward to hosting games at the tournament and playing our part in what I have no doubt will be a fantastic event,” Nelson said.
NI Stadium Set for 2035 Women’s World Cup
Northern Ireland’s Windsor Park, the National Stadium in Belfast, is set to be one of the venues used for the event.
Although the stadium’s current capacity of 18,500 seats does not meet FIFA’s standard 20,000-seat requirement for certain group stage and knockout matches, Windsor Park remains a strong contender.
Precedents from the 2023 Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand show that smaller venues can still be used, provided they meet certain conditions.
Plans are already underway to increase Windsor Park’s seating capacity, which could include adding more seats in the North stand and behind the goal in front of the Kop stand.
These adjustments would bring the stadium closer to FIFA’s requirements and make it more suitable for larger crowds. This preparation strengthens Northern Ireland’s chances of hosting key matches during the tournament.
This opportunity stands in stark contrast to Northern Ireland’s experience during the 2028 Men’s UEFA European Championship bid.
Windsor Park was excluded from the Euro 2028 match list due to its smaller capacity. In that instance, Northern Ireland was considered for other roles, such as hosting a training base for participating nations.
The more lenient requirements for the Women’s World Cup, however, create a realistic chance for Belfast to play a significant role in the 2035 tournament.
The 2035 Women’s World Cup will feature 48 teams, a significant expansion from previous tournaments. This increase in the number of teams also improves the likelihood of more nations qualifying, further bolstering Northern Ireland’s position within the tournament.
Although automatic qualification spots will remain limited, the expanded format opens up new possibilities for both teams and host countries.
FIFA’s recognition of the UK bid as the sole valid contender for the 2035 Women’s World Cup gives Northern Ireland a unique opportunity to make its mark. As preparations continue, the potential for Belfast and Windsor Park to showcase their capabilities to the world grows.
Patrick Nelson is hopeful that these efforts will be rewarded, stating, “This will be a brilliant opportunity to show the world what Northern Ireland and Belfast have to offer.”
