According to the "Guardian" report, the Football Association of England plans to include the rebuilt Old Trafford Stadium in the list of venues to bid for the 2035 Women's World Cup.
The FA plans to include the rebuilt Old Trafford in its list of venues for the 2035 Women's World Cup, although Manchester United's plans for a new 100,000-seat stadium are only in the conceptual stage, and there are questions about the source of funding for the project, which is expected to cost 2 billion pounds. Previously, Old Trafford was not selected as a venue for the 2028 Men's Football European Cup due to old facilities and possible future reconstruction. Manchester City's Etihad Stadium has been selected as one of nine venues and will host England's first match.
The United Kingdom is the only bidder to host the 2035 Women's World Cup, while the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and Jamaica have been listed as co-hosts in 2031. As the Women's World Cup expands to 48 teams in 2031, it is expected that about 15 competition venues will be needed, but more venues will appear in the bid document, which is not binding. It is expected that England will be awarded the hosting rights next year, but FIFA will not make a final decision until 2030, by which time United hope that the new Old Trafford stadium will be near completion.
Manchester United hopes Old Trafford can host the final, although the FA believes this is premature. Wembley Stadium is also a strong contender, but United will argue that its 100,000 capacity and better fan experience will make them more competitive if Old Trafford's redevelopment goes ahead as planned, with the final decision on venues being made by FIFA.
Manchester United declined to comment, but they are believed to be positive about the expected bid. Since Sir Ratcliffe and Norman Foster unveiled United's "Wembley North" plans in March, the club has yet to secure the funding it needs from the government to drive forward the £4.2bn regeneration of the Old Trafford area, nor resolve a standoff with Freightliner over the value of adjacent land.
Cities such as Glasgow, Sunderland, Leeds, Nottingham, Birmingham and Brighton have publicly expressed their desire to be included in the World Cup bid list. Birmingham City's planned new 62,000-seat stadium, expected to open in 2030, may also be on the FA's shortlist. Belfast is also expected to host the tournament, which is a departure from Euro 2028.