The Football Association has pushed back against lobbying from Manchester United to stage the 2035 Women’s World Cup final at a rebuilt Old Trafford, insisting Wembley remains its preferred venue.
Collette Roche, United’s chief executive of new stadium development, went public with the club’s ambition to host the final on Tuesday. However, the Guardian understands the FA designated Wembley as the showpiece venue when it submitted its official bid to Fifa last November, and that stance will not change even if United build a new 100,000-seat stadium in time.
The FA is fronting a joint bid from the home nations – the first time the UK would host the Women’s World Cup. The current Old Trafford is among 22 proposed stadiums in the bid book, but it will be replaced by a new ground if construction is completed on schedule. United are still securing funding for the project, which could cost over £2bn, and need to acquire land from Freightliner. Roche said the club is “on track” but did not name an opening date.
While Fifa ultimately decides the final’s venue, it would be a major surprise if it overruled the FA, the lead bidder. The bid is unopposed, though Fifa recently postponed awarding the 2031 and 2035 tournaments until later this year.
