Northern Ireland’s Windsor Park is set to host matches for the 2035 Women’s World Cup, contingent upon its expansion to meet the required capacity. The stadium, located in Belfast, currently holds 18,500 spectators but must be upgraded to a minimum of 20,000 seats to comply with FIFA regulations for a World Cup event. Mark Bullingham, chief executive of England’s Football Association (FA), has confirmed that there are no plans for new stadium constructions in Northern Ireland; instead, the focus is entirely on expanding the existing Windsor Park.

This initiative stands in contrast to the situation with the men’s Euro 2028 tournament, which will not feature any games in Northern Ireland. This is primarily due to the Casement Park redevelopment not being completed in time to fulfill UEFA’s hosting requirements. However, this is not anticipated to be an obstacle for the 2035 Women’s World Cup, as Windsor Park’s renovations are expected to be finished well before the tournament commences.

The 2035 Women’s World Cup is envisioned as an expanded competition, accommodating 48 national teams. Such a large-scale event will necessitate approximately 16 host stadiums across the co-hosting nations. The proposed program includes 11 venues in England, two each in Scotland and Wales, and Windsor Park serving as Northern Ireland’s sole representative. Bullingham expressed confidence in Windsor Park’s ability to reach the 20,000-seat threshold, stating that adding the necessary extra seats is entirely feasible.

Beyond the immediate focus on Windsor Park, Bullingham also alluded to other potential stadium developments across the United Kingdom that could prove attractive for hosting the 2035 tournament. He specifically mentioned sites such as St James’ Park, locations in Birmingham, and Wrexham as possibilities, indicating a flexible approach to the shortlist for host stadia. This strategy would allow for the inclusion of additional venues if they meet the required conditions closer to the event.