SPORTS

The UK’s home nations are coming together in a joint bid to host the 2035 Women’s World Cup, a move that Prime Minister Keir Starmer has described as a “monumental moment in our nation’s sporting history.”

The football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales will submit a formal expression of interest to FIFA this month, with the potential tournament accommodating up to 48 teams. On Wednesday, FIFA’s Council confirmed that the 2035 Women’s World Cup will be awarded to member associations affiliated with either CAF (the Confederation of African Football) or UEFA. The UK’s home nations believe their collaborative approach and proven track record give them a strong case to bring a major global football tournament to the region for the first time since 1966.

Mark Bullingham, CEO of the English FA, pointed to the success of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, hosted in England, as evidence of the UK’s capability to stage an exceptional tournament.

“Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035 would be a tremendous honor,” Bullingham said. “We are confident in our ability to organize a world-class event, building on the achievements of the UEFA Women’s Euro in 2022 and the incredible growth of women’s football in England.”

“We are excited at the prospect of welcoming the world, filling stadiums with passionate fans, and continuing to drive the momentum of the women’s game. The support for women’s football in this country is outstanding, and we want to harness this not just for the growth of the game here but for the benefit of the global sport as well.”

Prime Minister Starmer has pledged his full backing for the bid, emphasizing football’s deep-rooted significance in British culture. “Whether it’s watching on TV, playing at the weekend like I do, or simply soaking up the excitement in the pub, football brings people together in a way few things can,” he said.

“That passion was on full display when England hosted the UEFA Women’s Euro 2022, which not only showcased the best of our country to the world but also inspired a new generation of girls to take up the game while giving the economy a boost. Hosting the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2035 on home soil would be another landmark moment in our sporting history, accelerating growth and leaving a lasting legacy. The FA’s decision to bid has my government’s full support.”

The football associations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland echoed the sentiment, highlighting their shared ambition to drive continued growth in women’s football. Ian Maxwell, CEO of the Scottish FA, believes hosting the tournament would provide a major boost to the sport’s development. Noel Mooney, head of the Welsh FA, emphasized that the bid comes at a time of “rapidly growing interest and participation in women’s football,” following Wales’ qualification for their first major international women’s tournament at this summer’s UEFA Women’s Euros in Switzerland.

Patrick Nelson, CEO of the Irish FA, described the bid as an opportunity to “serve the world,” while inspiring more young girls to aspire to wear the national team’s green jersey.

The bidding process for the 2031 and 2035 Women’s World Cups will run simultaneously, starting this spring. Following the initial expressions of interest, which must be submitted within the next month, full bids are due by the end of the year. The final decision on the host nation will be made by the 211 members of FIFA’s congress in the second quarter of 2026.

Here’s a rewritten version of the article while keeping its meaning intact:

"Women’s Boxing Takes Center Stage: A Journey from Ban to Royal Albert Hall Spotlight"

Lauren Price reflects on how far women’s boxing has come as she prepares to face Natasha Jonas in a high-stakes world welterweight title unification bout, headlining Friday’s all-female card at the iconic Royal Albert Hall.

“It’s frustrating and disheartening to think that, not long ago, women were prohibited from competing as boxers,” says Price. But before stepping into the ring, the Olympic gold medallist and world champion acknowledges the pioneers who paved the way. Dinah Rose, a barrister, dismantled the outdated arguments of boxing authorities, leading to Jane Couch becoming the first licensed female professional boxer in Britain. “It’s a testament to our progress, and we owe it to trailblazers like Jane,” Price remarks.

Her sparring partner and friend, Cindy Ngamba, who made history by securing the first-ever medal for the Refugee Team at the Paris Olympics, was born in Cameroon just three weeks after Couch’s groundbreaking victory. “I’ve watched videos of Jane’s fights—how could anyone ever think she was weak?” Ngamba questions. “No matter how many bruises she endured, she just kept pushing forward.”

She continues, “Look at where we are now—women fighters competing in different weight divisions, from various countries, each with their own unique style. They share the same fierce mindset of any boxer—determined and fearless in the ring.”

Price also pays homage to other pioneers, including her 40-year-old opponent, Jonas, as part of the generation that transformed women’s boxing. “I see Jonas, Nicola Adams, Katie Taylor, Savannah Marshall, and Claressa Shields—fighters who competed in the 2012 Olympics—as the pioneers who laid the foundation for an all-female event at the Royal Albert Hall. I’m honored to headline this card, and my fight against Jonas is going to be something special.”

She also highlights other exciting matchups on the card, including Caroline Dubois defending her WBC lightweight title against Bo Mi Re Shin, Karriss Artingstall facing Raven Chapman, and Ngamba making her professional debut against European champion Kirstie Bavington.

“This is a massive moment for women’s boxing, taking place at such a legendary venue,” Price says. “The fact that Muhammad Ali once fought here in an exhibition match is incredible. There’s still a long way to go, but women’s boxing is gaining ground, and I’m proud to be part of its journey.”

Despite the excitement surrounding this event, Price, Jonas, and Ngamba acknowledge the ongoing challenges in women’s boxing, from a lack of depth in divisions to the growing influence of Saudi Arabia—a country long criticized for its treatment of women—on the sport.

Each fighter has a compelling personal story. Price, abandoned by her mother as a newborn in Wales, was raised by Derek and Linda Jones, whom she considers her grandparents despite no blood relation. “My brother passed away two years ago,” she shares. “At his funeral, I told my sister, ‘I was the lucky one who escaped.’”

“My biological parents struggled with alcoholism, and my siblings had a tough upbringing. If I hadn’t been taken in, I probably would have ended up in care or worse. My brother spent his life in and out of prison. He had a tragic life.”