Angela Platt: Northern Ireland ‘huge winners’ by hosting Women’s World Cup in 2035

FIFA president Gianni Infantino described the UK’s interest as the "one valid bid" for those finals.

The Irish FA is hoping to expand Windsor Park’s capacity from 18,500 to around 20,000 so it can host group matches.

Northern Ireland was included in the home nations' bid to host the men's Euro finals in 2028, but Casement Park could not be redeveloped in time.

Windsor Park should be able to stage Women's World Cup matches and Platt feels it’s a huge result for the game.

“What a time for women’s football in our country,” beamed Platt. “This news will inspire even more young girls and boys to get involved in the game.

“Coupled with the fact that our new women’s and girls’ strategy, Together We Thrive: Elevating the Game for Everyone, is now in place to plot a course for everyone to progress through the game, there is a real sense of momentum that spells good news for all parts of our pathway.”

Northern Ireland senior women’s manager Tanya Oxtoby added: “From my own perspective, as someone who has managed and played at elite level, co-hosting the World Cup represents the apex of our game.

“I’m excited at the prospect of what Northern Ireland can bring to the tournament both on and off the pitch.”

Irish FA chief executive Patrick Nelson has warmly welcomed the Women's World Cup’s arrival to these shores in 2035.

“It is great news that the home nations are the sole bidder for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2035,” said Nelson.

“We look forward to hosting games at the tournament and playing our part in what I have no doubt will be a fantastic tournament.

“There’s still a lot of hard work to be done along with our partners in bringing it all together, however this will be a brilliant opportunity to show the world what Northern Ireland and Belfast have to offer.”

The football associations of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales announced last month they would submit a joint expression of interest in hosting the finals in ten years' time.

The deadline for initial expressions of interest passed on Monday and, although Spain's federation president Rafael Louzan last week announced his country's intention to bid alongside Portugal and Morocco, Infantino indicated the UK bid was the only one being considered.

"We received one bid for 2031 and one bid – one valid bid I should add – for 2035," he said at the UEFA Congress in Belgrade.

"The 2035 bid is from Europe, from the home nations."

The UK bid will now go unopposed to FIFA Congress in the second quarter of next year where it could be voted through by acclamation, as the Saudi Arabian bid for the 2034 men's World Cup was last December. The UK bid will still be subject to the usual FIFA checks, such as an evaluation report.

The number of teams competing in the 2031 World Cup in the United States has been raised to 48.

Irish FA president Conrad Kirkwood said: “We have seen a real growth in women’s football in recent times. Developments like our new women’s and girls’ strategy merely reinforces this. To be in a position to bring the pinnacle of women’s football, along with our partners across the home nations, to these shores is something to be heralded.”

Prime minister Keir Starmer had already given his backing to the bid.

"The FIFA Women's World Cup 2035 on home turf would be another monumental moment in our sporting history, driving growth and leaving a lasting legacy," he said. "The FAs' intention to bid has my government's full support."

England captain Leah Williamson said: "I think having experienced a home tournament which we all realised at the time how lucky we are, I think it's exciting news for players to know that's potentially on the horizon.

"The impact 2022 has had, I'm sure you'll have some stories if England are to host in 2035, I think you'll have some stories that are pretty special, having led on from that time."

Infantino confirmed the United States were the sole bidders for 2031, potentially alongside other nations from the CONCACAF confederation which covers North and Central America and the Caribbean.

The Irish FA’s new five-year strategy is targeted towards helping women’s and girls’ football in Northern Ireland reach the next level.

It is aligned to the Irish FA corporate strategy ‘A Roadmap For Football (2022-2027)’, the UEFA women’s football strategy ‘Unstoppable (2024-2030)’ and the FIFA Women’s Football Strategy 2024-2027.